May-June , 2022 | @ green
COVER STORY
19
Promoting environmental health control
The biennial event addresses environmental health control and challenges during the pandemic
Tee Eng Ong
Our vision is to be a champion of Environmental Health concerns to promote our slogan ‘ For the Well-being of Mankind ’ ( individuals , local and global communities ).”
– Tee Eng Ong
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH is defined by the World Health Organisation ( WHO ) as aspects of human health and disease determined by ecological factors .
It focuses on the relationships between people and their environment , promotes human health and well-being , and fosters healthy and safe communities .
A critical part of a comprehensive public health system is concerned with monitoring or mitigating environmental factors that affect human health and disease .
And for the last two years , as the world has been experiencing the Covid-19 pandemic , many issues and challenges have been encountered by Environmental Health Practitioners worldwide . Many countries have taken many strategies and measures to mitigate the pandemic . Some were effective , while some were otherwise .
Tee Eng Ong , the organising chairman of The 16th International Federation of Environmental Health ( IFEH ) World Congress on Environmental Health ( WCEH ) 2022 , said : “ It ’ s appropriate that a specific forum to discuss and address issues and challenges is organised for those involved in mitigation and control activities during the pandemic .
“ Hence , the Malaysian Association of Environmental Health ( MAEH ) is proud to announce that the 16th WCEH , endorsed and supported by the IFEH , will be held at the World Trade Centre , Kuala Lumpur , on Aug 23-25 this year . The theme of the congress is ‘ Environmental Health Issues , Challenges and Sustainability : Covid-19 Pandemic ’.
Exciting programmes and activities
The organising committee estimates an attendance of at least 500 participants within the environmental health field worldwide . According to Tee , the range of topics to be covered in the congress includes :
• Air Quality
• Built Environment
• Child Environmental Health
• Climate Change and Environmental Health
• Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases Related to the Environment
• Environmental Forensics
• Food Safety and Hygiene
• Green Technology and Sustainability Research
• Hazardous Materials / Toxic Waste Management
• Occupational Health and Safety
• Pest and Vector Control
• Sustainable Solid Waste Management
• Waste Water Management
• Water Quality “ We have also lined up a string of activities to make this congress a memorable one for participants , especially from overseas , to enjoy our Malaysian Hospitality with technical visits , spouse programmes , cultural performance , etc ., with the support of the government of Malaysia .
“ The organising committee has put in a lot of effort to ensure that this congress will match the standards of the previous congresses . We promise that you will have a great time attending the congress and having the opportunity to visit Malaysia .
“ Above all , we are dedicated to delivering a world-class WCEH 2022 Congress and ensuring all our participants go home happy and hungry for more .”
Championing environmental health interests
The WCEH is a biennial event hosted by member organisations of the IFEH since its inauguration in 1988 , with Sydney as the first venue .
The IFEH is an organisation whose full members are national associations representing the interests of environmental health professionals from 46 countries .
“ The Federation seeks to exchange information and experience on environmental health , to hold congresses and meetings to discuss subjects relevant to environmental health science and administration , to represent the interests of environmental health to state agencies , national governments and international organisations and to promote field studies of environmental health control ,” explained Tee .
“ The congresses are intended and structured to provide the broadest range of environmental health topics and issues to be shared and discussed and create many opportunities for environmental practitioners and individuals to interact .
“ The MAEH is honoured to be awarded the privilege to host this auspicious event again since 1994 . The congress held then was attended by more than 1000 local and international participants .”
The MAEH is the only professional body for environmental health practitioners in Malaysia , serving as a full council member under the IFEH since 1985 . The association members comprise Environmental Health Practitioners practising in the government , academia and private sectors .
Among the list activities of the association are promoting and disseminating knowledge on environmental health , as an advocate for government initiatives relating to environmental health , training , consultations , CSR initiatives , etc .
“ Our vision is to be a champion of Environmental Health concerns to promote our slogan ‘ For the Well-being of Mankind ’ ( individuals , local and global communities ).
“ We also strive to support regional and international initiatives by incorporating proposals into the local and national agenda to apply effective environmental health practices and good governance .
“ With the forthcoming congress , we would like to invite all of you related or concerned with the topics to present , explore and study the environmental health issues , challenges and sustainability during and after the pandemic from the regional and global perspective to join us .” — @ Green