The Health Ministry has prepared 85 emergency medical teams with a total of 387 personnel to respond to monsoon floods during the 2026/2027 northeast monsoon season.
In a statement on Monday (Nov 9), the ministry said the teams are made up of 36 rapid assessment and health rapid response teams, 34 medical rapid response teams and 15 mental health and psychosocial support teams. They will be mobilised as needed to assess health risks, provide medical services and emergency treatment, monitor and control infectious diseases, and give mental health and psychosocial support to flood victims.
The ministry said 128 vehicles are available to move personnel and support field operations. Stocks of flood-related medicines at warehouses run by its concessionaire suppliers are stable and are expected to last between one and three months.
Its National Crisis Preparedness and Response Centre has been on alert since Oct 27, monitoring the flood situation and the readiness of health facilities, and coordinating with state health departments and other agencies. Health facilities at risk of flooding have been identified, with alternative facilities lined up in case services are disrupted, and plans are in place to move high-risk patients, such as pregnant women and those who need haemodialysis, out early.
At relief centres, health teams will carry out health checks, infectious disease monitoring, hygiene inspections, food and water safety checks and vector control to cut the risk of flood-related illnesses such as diarrhoea, food poisoning, leptospirosis and respiratory infections.
As of 6am on Monday, floods had been reported in Selangor and Perak, with 987 people from 283 families housed at seven relief centres, the ministry said. Flood-hit households in Selangor are also due to receive an extra RM2,500 in aid. The Malaysian Meteorological Department expects three to five monsoon surges this season, which could bring heavy rain especially to the east and south of the peninsula, eastern Sabah, and western and southern Sarawak. The ministry warned that the flood risk rises when prolonged rain coincides with high tides.
The ministry urged the public to drink clean, safe water, eat properly cooked food, avoid food that may have been contaminated by floodwater, wash their hands often with soap and clean water, and avoid direct contact with floodwater. Anyone who develops fever, diarrhoea, vomiting or muscle pain after being exposed to floodwater should seek treatment at a health facility immediately. Patients with chronic illnesses, the elderly, pregnant women and children should keep up their treatment and have enough medication on hand in case they need to move to a relief centre.