Course on Medical Aspects of Assistance and Protection against Chemical Weapons held in Lithuania

The OPCW and the Government of the Lithuania co-organised an International Course on Medical Aspects of Assistance and Protection against Chemical Weapons from 2 to 5 June 2015 in Kaunas, Lithuania.

Twenty-two participants from 17 counties* participated in the training course, which was held in the Military Medical Service of the Lithuanian Army in Kaunas.

The main objective of the course was to strengthen capacities of the physicians and other qualified medical experts of the CWC states Parties in preparedness and response to Chemical incidents through enhanced skill levels, improved performance, shortened treatment procedure times and reduced error rates.

The programme covered several topics including medical assistance during chemical attacks or incidents with toxic industrial chemicals, psychological health care in emergency situations, treatment for injuries from chemical warfare agents (CWAs), and the long-term health effects of exposure to CWAs. The course also included practical skills and exercise on the use of Individual Protection Equipment, casualty evacuation equipment as well as advanced life support for intoxicated patients.

The medical response to mitigate the impact of chemical attacks and accidental releases of toxic chemicals is a top priority of OPCW’s capacity-building efforts in the area of assistance and protection.

*Algeria, Argentina, Brazil, China, Cuba, Finland, Iran , Lebanon, Malaysia, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Peru, Philippines, Portugal, Romania and Ukraine.