Entebbe. Uganda and 13 other international locations in Eastern Africa possess successfully concluded a 3-day joint simulation on outbreak preparedness and response. With larger than 50 contributors, including experts in case administration, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), infection prevention and control, and logistics, the simulation exercises took recount within the Infectious Diseases Treatment Module (IDTM), an innovative, rapidly deployable scientific facility developed below INITIATE² to respond to infectious disease outbreaks.
In June 2021, the World Food Programme (WFP) and WHO launched INITIATE², a five-12 months initiative which brings collectively emergency response actors, in addition to research and tutorial institutions, to originate innovative and standardised solutions and connected training to toughen readiness and response capabilities in health emergencies.
The simulation, hosted by Uganda’s Ministry of Health and Africa CDC, aimed to fortify regional ability to manage for and respond to excessive-chance pathogens reminiscent of Ebola and Marburg.
“WHO is proud to toughen this regional training on the innovative infectious diseases treatment module. As we possess seen in old epidemics, rapid treatment unit activation is fundamental to guaranteeing early and safe affected person care and protection of health group correct by blueprint of disease outbreaks,” stated Dr Kasonde Mwinga, WHO Representative in Uganda. “WHO commits to supporting innovations and continued advances in scientific care, by blueprint of such collaborations. We scrutinize ahead to cascading and applying this innovation to enhance the effectiveness and effectivity of emergency responses.”
“In situations as perilous as these, collaboration is no longer factual a selection—it’s miles a necessity,” stated WFP Nation Director Marcus Prior. “The challenges posed by epidemics, pandemics, and humanitarian emergencies inquire of innovative, standardized solutions developed with care, precision, and foresight. WFP has supported Uganda’s public health response by blueprint of transport, storage, vaccine administration, perilous break treatment, and outbreak readiness initiatives.”
“We uncover ourselves confronting ongoing outbreaks of those viral haemorrhagic fevers in diversified facets of the continent. These threats remind us that preparedness is no longer optional, it’s miles a need to-possess. And our ability to respond successfully depends no longer only on strong programs but additionally on professional and coordinated teams,” stated Dr Mazyanga Lucy Mazaba, Regional Director, Eastern Africa Regional Coordinating Centre, Africa CDC. “This SIMEX, supported by blueprint of the INITIATE² challenge in partnership with the Ministry of Health Uganda, World Food Programme, WHO and IDI, goes beyond principle. It presents a obvious different to fastidiously assess and toughen our emergency readiness, namely in the areas of surveillance, infection prevention and control (IPC), water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), and emergency preparedness and response (EPR).”
Members engaged in logistic activities reminiscent of the installation of the IDTM, evolved scientific eventualities and multidisciplinary interventions covering your entire affected person trail from community, admission and discharge.
The IDTM, developed in collaboration with predominant humanitarian actors, is a reusable, modular treatment facility that allows the shipping of humanised, excessive-quality care within six hours of deployment. Its lightweight invent, mobility and reusability make it possible to raise care closer to communities whereas guaranteeing a extra environmentally sustainable response.
This training session in Uganda marked a key milestone in the ongoing commitment of INITIATE² and partners to empower national expertise and make certain salvage admission to to the remaining innovations to fortify outbreak preparedness and responses.
The success of this training paves the vogue for future simulations and deployments correct by blueprint of the continent.
