Trauma support for 3,000 pupils after Pasir Gudang pollution

Schoolchildren in Pasir Gudang are reported to have suffered breathing difficulties because of air pollution last month. (Bernama pic)

KULAI: More than 3,000 schoolchildren in Pasir Gudang have been receiving psychological and trauma support after they experienced breathing difficulties and vomiting, believed to be caused by pollution last month.

The state director of health, Dr Selahuddeen Abdul Aziz, said the affected children were those in 50 schools around Pasir Gudang, including Sekolah Agama Taman Mawar, which was the first to be affected by the air pollution.

“They receive treatment from psychologists of five hospitals including Sultan Ismail Hospital, Sultanah Aminah Hospital and Permai Hospital, Johor Bahru,” he told reporters.

Selahuddeen said the psychological support had been carried out continuously following the chemical contamination in Sungai Kim Kim earlier this year.

“This effort is not a one-off as there are several processes involved and students are provided with different interactive activities as each of them experiences trauma differently. Hence, the activity will be based on the evaluation by the psychologists,” he said. - FMT