1st HIA for ASEAN Workshop
Understanding Health Impact Assessment (HIA):
A Foundation for the Well-being of the ASEAN
Community”
13-14 February 2012, The Aquamarine Resort and Villa,
Phuket, Thailand
MALAYSIA
NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY (1)
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