1st HIA for ASEAN Workshop Understanding Health Impact Assessment (HIA): A Foundation for the Well-being of the ASEAN 13-14 February 20 Community” 12 , The Aquamarine Resort and Villa , Phuket, Thailand

MALAYSIA

NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY

(1)

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The guiding principles for environmental policy objectives

which form the basis for development planning are to:    Maintain a clean and healthy environment; Minimize the impact of the growing population and human activities relating to mineral exploration, deforestation, agriculture, urbanization, tourism, and development of other resources, on the environment; Place more emphasis on prevention through conservation rather than through curative measures;

NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY

(2)

The guiding principles for environmental policy objectives

which form the basis for development planning are to: .

  Balance the goals of socioeconomic development and the need to bring the benefits of development to a wide spectrum of population against the maintenance of sound environmental constitution, and Incorporate an environmental dimension in project planning and implementation through the conduct of Environmental Impact Assessment Studies;

WHY WE SHOULD HAVE HIA

(1)

    an attempt to prevent the manifestations of adverse health impacts that may emanate from the environmental impacts of a proposed project. not only help avoid unnecessary hardships due to negative health consequences, but preventing a health effect is certainly less costly than treating it.

assesses the health impact of a development project, program or policy.

can be retrospective, concurrent or prospective .

WHY WE SHOULD HAVE HIA

(2)

• • • • healthy communities are essential for successful and sustainable projects early design and operational interventions often more cost-effective than health sector interventions later seizing opportunities adds value and make economic sense basis for a strategic alliance between the health and environment sectors to collaborate on cross-cutting issues

WHAT IS HIA

(1)

The application of HIA in Malaysia has been mainly in the context of an EIA study.  Healthy public policy  Strategic assessment.

 Hazard mapping.

 Environmental epidemiology.

 Health inequalities impact assessment  The impact of ill health and poverty on the environment.

 Inclusion of human health in Environmental Impact Assessment.

STEPS IN HIA OF EIA

   • •  • •   Screening – the needs, necessity, mandatory Scope of coverage – in phases (site preparation, construction, operational, abandonment) Description of existing public health status – comparing the baseline existing status and impacts of projects Health Risk Assessment - Quantitative Hazard identification Dose-response assessment Exposure assessment Risk characterisation Health Risk Assessment – Qualitative Mitigation measures – measures to overcome or alleviate adverse impacts from projects. Solely health impacts, except direct occupational health impacts

HIA DEVELOPMENT IN MALAYSIA

In Malaysia, Section 34A of the Environmental Quality Act, 1974, empowers the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment after due consultation, to prescribe any activity which may have significant environmental impact as a Prescribed Activity. The section further requires the Project Proponent of a Prescribed Activity to submit an EIA report to the Director General of Environmental Quality, before approval for the proposed activity is granted by the relevant approving authority.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• • • •

EIA Consultant I Assessor

Individual who conducts the environmental impact assessment.

Employed by and is responsible to the Project Initiator.

Must be registered with the DOE and has to maintain his professionalism in conducting the EIA and producing the EIA Report.

Does not necessarily have to be a third-party. The assessor could also be an employee of the Project Initiator but has to be registered with the DOE and shall remain independent throughout the study.

THE PROJECT APPROVING AUTHORITIES

• • • • The National Development Planning Committee for Federal Government sponsored projects; The State Executive Council; The various Local Authorities or Regional Development Authorities with respect to planning approval within their respective areas; and The Ministry of International Trade and Industry for industrial projects.

THE ENVIRONMENT/HEALTH RELATED AGENCIES

• • Related agencies are also called to assist in reviewing EIA report or provide inputs on environmental effects and impacts.

Agencies includes: Local Authority, Town & Country Planning, Dept. of Irrigation and Drainage, Forestry Department, Marine Department, Department of Minerals and Geosciences, / Min of Health …etc.

THE PUBLIC

• • Inputs and comments to be given on TOR & DEIA Participate in the public briefings or dialogues organized by the Project Initiator

HIA DEVELOPMENT IN MALAYSIA

     Now considered mandatory for many detailed EIA projects in Malaysia.

Integration of Environmental Impact Assessment and Health Impact assessment.

Comprehensive HIA capacity building Workshop for MOH staff Intersectoral Skills Development

RECOMMENDATION FOR PROMOTING HIA

• • • Should be more active in the promoting the HIA activities. HIA not only be done for HIA in EIA but also for the Non-EIA HIA such project or policy before it is built or implemented.

HIAs can be voluntary or regulatory processes that focus on health outcomes such as obesity, physical inactivity, asthma, injuries, and social equity.

THANK YOU