Lesson learnt from massive flood 2014 in East Coast region of Malaysia

Introduction: In 2014, Peninsular Malaysia was struck by massive floods. The flood affected more than 200,000 people and it was declared as the worst floods occurred in this decade, in Malaysia. Methods: Hospital Kuala Krai, one of the hospitals in Kelantan, which is a state that located at the East Coast region, had to respond to the worst flood that affected the district. Nurses, as a front-liner were called up to assist the existing staff to work in the hospital as well as at the evacuation centre that was set up at the hospital quarters. Findings: The nurses worked within hospital compound as the water remain at alarming level for few days and they were restricted from leaving out the safe area. The hospital and evacuation zone operated with less workforce and supply until the secondary team arrived when the water level subsided, after few days. These nurses were unprepared to face the unforeseen event. They have never been trained to deal with victims affected by the flood and it left them perplexed. Discussion: Working within disaster area requires nurses to be prepared in advance for ensuring everyone receive a best care, including themselves. Knowing what should be done lead the situation easily managed and they will be ready at any point of time. These nurses confessed that they were suffering from physical and mental exhaustion as they were demanded to work endlessly for long hours a day, for few days. Thus, disaster nursing management should also emphasise the needs of the nurses from the aspect of emotional and mental, despite merely concentrate on the ‘physical’ preparation which are knowledge and skills. The current syllabus shall enhance and highlight the crucial aspect of mental and psychological preparation for post-disaster stress or trauma prevention. Keywords: Flood disaster; Flood; Malaysia; Nurse’s experience