PUTRAJAYA, 14 Nov – A group of Master of Disaster Risk Management students from the Malaysia-Japan International Institute of Technology (MJIIT), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) Kuala Lumpur, conducted an educational visit to Hospital Putrajaya to deepen their understanding of service continuity management as well as emergency and disaster preparedness within the healthcare sector.
Led by Associate Professor Dr. Wan Nurul Mardiah Wan Mohd Rani, the course coordinator for Emergency Response Planning and Communication (MMJD 1143), the visit provided students with valuable hands-on exposure to real-world emergency management practices and the hospital’s business continuity systems, which are integral to disaster risk management in critical healthcare environments.
The programme began with a comprehensive briefing delivered by Lt. Kol. Bersekutu (PA) Dr. Ahmad Khairi Azali, an alumnus of the Master of Disaster Risk Management programme and a key member of the management team at Hospital Putrajaya. He shared detailed insights into the hospital’s organisational structure, operational workflow, and available resources that collectively ensure seamless hospital operations during both routine and emergency situations. Information was also shared regarding Hospital Putrajaya’s extensive service coverage area, encompassing the Federal Territory of Putrajaya and neighbouring Selangor border areas, including Dengkil, Sepang, and Serdang. Given the hospital’s responsibility towards a large population, the need for disaster preparedness and service continuity is particularly critical.
The session continued with discussions on the Business Continuity Management System (BCMS) implemented in parallel with disaster risk management. Students were exposed to the adopted ISO 22301:2019 standards, which are used to ensure that hospital services remain uninterrupted in the event of any disaster or critical incident.
The importance of local DRM frameworks such as National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA) Directive No. 1 and the Internal Disaster Incident Action Plan, which serve as key guidelines for disaster preparedness in hospitals, was also discussed.
To complete the learning session, students were given the opportunity to tour several key hospital facilities, including a special visit to the Disaster Operations and Incident Room within the Emergency and Trauma Department. This provided them with a first-hand view of the infrastructure, coordination systems, and operational readiness required to manage emergency and disaster situations effectively.
This visit forms part of MJIIT UTM Kuala Lumpur’s ongoing commitment to developing graduates who excel not only in theoretical understanding but also in practical, real-world applications of disaster risk management—especially within the critical healthcare sector.
Overall, the experience is expected to significantly contribute to nurturing competent and resilient disaster risk management professionals who are prepared to meet future challenges and ensure the continuity of essential national services.
