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Medical Practitioners Meeting

Medical Practitioners Meeting. October 28-29, 2013 Hong Kong. OSH in Asia- Background.

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Medical Practitioners Meeting

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  1. Medical Practitioners Meeting October 28-29, 2013 Hong Kong

  2. OSH in Asia- Background “It is estimated that 2.34 million people die from work-related accidents or diseases each year of which 2.02 million were caused by wide range of work related diseases. This equates to an average of more than 6,300 work-related deaths every day, 5500 are caused by work related diseases. In addition 160 million cases of non-fatal work related diseases occur annually” • 1.1 million persons are estimated to die in Asia due to work related reasons • 86 % are deaths due to Occupational Diseases • This is yet tip of the iceberg as these figures are just ‘estimates’ and extrapolation • The ILO estimates that work related accidents and diseases result in an annual 4% loss in global gross domestic product (GDP), or about US$2.8 Trillion, in direct and indirect costs of injuries and diseases

  3. OSH in Asia- Background • United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) estimates – 6.6 million people die every year in Asia due to various environmental health reasons. This attributes to about one quarter of all deaths in the region.[1] • Some 200 million Chinese workers serving in more than 30 sectors have been exposed to various health hazards in the workplace on the mainland”, Health Minister Chen Zhu November 2010 [1]http://www.environment-health.asia/

  4. Gross Under-Reporting

  5. Whereare the Victims – Are these just numbers? • Victims are everywhere • Released a book titled “Invisible Victims of Development – Workers Health and Safety in Asia” to highlight the serious lack of data and figuresand to put a human face to numbers • Contained reports from 6 Countries – Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Philippines and Thailand • The report highlighted lack of statistics with the major problem being Lack of Diagnosis and acceptance of Occupational Diseases in Asia!

  6. The Survey • A survey conducted to ascertain the reasons and problems for this lack of diagnosis and lack of data • Questionnaire sent to network Members • Members participation from 12 Asian Countries • Done in January 2013

  7. Some Questions in the Survey • What are the Health and Safety problems being faced by the workers and community • How many cases of Occupational Diseases have been identified in last 3 years. • Where do the workers go for diagnosis / treatment? • Are the doctors and medical practitioners aware of occupational disease and ways to diagnose them • What are the difficulties faced during medical diagnosis or treatment of workers. • What trainings would you like these doctors to receive to enable them to help you better

  8. Result of the Survey - Lack of Diagnosis • The local doctors lack the knowledge about occupational health and diseases. Misdiagnosis is common • The diagnostic methods and machines are either not available or the tests are extremely expensive • Getting a certificate for diagnosis is also a very difficult task and can take from a few days to a few months • Universities offering courses on OSH are few and there is lack of training infrastructure. The few doctors who complete such courses are employed by the industry • Doctors in public health are not aware or trained on OSH • Even competent doctors do not diagnose due to risk of liability • OSH is not taught as part of Primary health Care Curriculum

  9. Result of the Survey • No official figures for the number of occupational diseases or accidents in the region • Governments are not acknowledging the problem of occupational health and safety • Workers have to spend a lot of time (several hours in most cases) to reach hospitals or doctors at their own cost • The workers have to bear the brunt of paying for the treatment and the treatment is expensive • Workers are not aware of the labour laws and the attached benefits

  10. Result of the Survey • Suggestions for Training content • Experience of work-illness relationship. Doctors should get to understand the work being done and what hazards the work can bring. Importance of workplace in treatment, rehabilitation and prevention of diseases. • Information about labour laws. Benefits for the workers and their responsibilities as per law • Diagnostic knowledge on Occupational diseases like Asbestosis, Byssinosis and other lung diseases. • Availability of diagnostic tools like PFT machines, ILO X-Ray plates etc and training of doctors on such tools • Maintenance of data

  11. Need for this Meeting • To ensure doctors are available for correct diagnosis • proper diagnosis of occupational diseases by providing sufficient diagnostic clinics and specialists that are independent, transparent, and accountable • Trainings to be held in collaboration with affected groups to enable them to become active agents of change • To find best way to collaborate • Developing a Training Program; Answering Key Questions • Who is it for? • When do we aim for the first training? • Role of the training • Preparing Content and Modules • Different Level of Trainings • Sectors specific or Disease specificand more

  12. What will change if Workers are correctly Diagnosed?

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