Faculty

Zainalabidin Muhammad@Ismail

Dr. Zainalabidin is Consultant Emergency Physician in Emergency and Trauma Department, Hospital Tengku Ampuan Afzan, Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia. He is also the state head of service for Emergency and Trauma Services in Pahang, Malaysia. He is currently the Vice President of Malaysian Society on Toxinology (MST) and Consultant for Remote Envenomation Consultancy Services (RECS). He has special interest in Emergency Medicine, Clinical Toxinology, Prehospital Care and Disaster Medicine. He is currently involves in prehospital thrombolysis project in Pahang. He has conducted several educational programs and life support courses for students, healthcare providers and the public.

Remote Envenomation Consultation Services during the Covid-19 Pandemic 2020- 2021

Introduction: Remote Envenomation Consultation Services (RECS) was founded in 2010. The service was then officially established in 2012. RECS provides 24/7 assistants at various level of clinical management for bites/stings envenoming from venomous animals and poisoning from naturally occurring toxins.

Method: Experience of managing related cases during pandemic covid-19 were explored. Method of consultation, number of cases consulted, and challenges were reviewed and discussed.

Result: Most of consultations were done virtually via messaging app (WhatsApp). The number of consultations were not reduced compared to pre-pandemic years. More than 80% of the cases were snake related injuries. In 2020, the supply of some antivenom to Malaysia were disrupted but not directly related to covid-19. The number of courses conducted by RECS were significantly reduced due to Movement Control Order (MCO).

Discussion: During Covid-19 pandemic, virtual consultation method is become a new norm and RECS already one step ahead and now establishing MyRECS consultation App. The number of consulted cases remain the same despite Movement Control Order. A study from 21 low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) noted that the number of cases did not change in communities, where incidences are usually highest. The disruption of supply of some antivenom did not affect the management because the antivenom stockpile were still adequate and access to antivenom were still good.

Conclusion: Remote Envenomation Consultation Services and patient care related to envenoming maintained at its optimum level even during Covid-19 pandemic.

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