The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), in collaboration with the CWC National Authority of China, successfully conducted a training course on Medical Aspects of Assistance and Protection against Chemical Weapons. The event took place in Xi'an, China, from 14 to 18 October 2024.
The five-day course was designed to strengthen medical preparedness and response capabilities at hospitals, especially the medical management of persons affected, in the aftermath of an attack involving chemical weapons agents or toxic industrial chemicals. It also promoted the exchange of experience, therapeutic approaches, and treatment protocols, as well as strategies for addressing gaps in medical capabilities. The course was organised with the support of the Chinese Air Force Medical University.
The course was opened by the Representative of the Chinese National Authority, who stated: "Co-hosting the training course is a practical measure taken by the Chinese government to support the OPCW's efforts in international cooperation, and also a concrete step of China to promote the international arms control and non-proliferation process." The Technical Secretariat representative thanked the Government of China for jointly organising the event.
Through theoretical teaching and case analysis, participants were provided with a full view of and in-depth knowledge and skills concerning medical aids and protection against chemical weapons. Highlights of the Training Course included:
Identification, diagnosis, treatment, and medical management of persons affected by chemical weapons agents and toxic industrial chemicals.
Reflections on lessons learned from incidents involving chemical weapons agents and toxic industrial chemicals.
Analysis of the tools and resources necessary for hospital preparedness and response.
Medical follow‑up for individuals dealing with the long‑term effects of exposure to chemical weapons agents or toxic industrial chemicals.
During practical drills and table-top exercises, participants were immersed in simulated conditions of chemical incidents, by which they reinforced their knowledge and skills gathered for emergency medical response.
Participants of the training course included medical and health professionals working at hospitals that attend to victims in a chemical emergency, or medical facilities designated for this purpose in their respective countries. Twenty-three participants from 19 Member States (Argentina, Brazil, Chile, China, Ecuador, Germany, Honduras, India, Iran, Italy, Liberia, Mexico, Morocco, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Syria, Thailand, Uruguay, and Zambia), attended the training course. The training course also focused on gender balance, with an equal distribution of female and male participants.
The course was delivered by instructors from the OPCW Technical Secretariat, the Ministry of National Defence of China and the Chinese Air Force Medical University, who also contributed crucial insights from their professional backgrounds to optimising the training course. Many participants were convinced that, with the knowledge and experience acquired through the training, they were better equipped to enhance the medical preparedness and response in their respective countries.
The medical response to mitigate the impact of the uses of chemical weapons agents and toxic industrial chemicals is a top priority of OPCW's capacity-building efforts in the area of assistance and protection. The course was conducted under Article X "Assistance and Protection Against Chemical Weapons" of the Chemical Weapons Convention, where "Assistance" includes medical antidotes and treatments.
The OPCW remains committed to supporting its Member States in building stronger capacities related to Medical Aspects of Assistance and Protection against Chemical Weapons in line with the goals of the Chemical Weapons Convention. The Organisation also encourages its Member States to support similar activities in future.
Background
The OPCW's Practical Guide for Medical Management of Chemical Warfare Casualties includes information on specific antidotes for chemical weapon agent poisoning, triage of chemical casualties, and other useful information regarding medical management of chemical weapons victims.
As the implementing body for the Chemical Weapons Convention, the OPCW, with its 193 Member States, oversees the global endeavour to permanently eliminate chemical weapons. Since the Convention's entry into force in 1997, it is the most successful disarmament treaty eliminating an entire class of weapons of mass destruction.
In 2023, the OPCW verified that all chemical weapons stockpiles declared by the 193 States Parties to the Chemical Weapons Convention since 1997 - totalling 72,304 metric tonnes of chemical agents - have been irreversibly destroyed under the OPCW's strict verification regime.
For its extensive efforts in eliminating chemical weapons, the OPCW received the 2013 Nobel Peace Prize.
