Date: 2017-12-02 01:37:46 ID: 1777
Conakry, 30 November 2017 - Within the framework of building the capacity of the ECOWAS Regional Rapid Task Force, the West Africa Health Organisation (WAHO) organised on 30 November 2017, a simulation exercise on the outbreak of Marburg epidemic at the Nongo Ebola Treatment Centre in Conakry.
This exercise brought together experts from ECOWAS countries and staff of the Nongo Ebola Treatment Centre, regional and national Technical Partners such as the World Health Organisation, the International Red Cross Federation, France and European Union Expertise.
This simulation exercise is part of the training workshop on infection control and prevention (ICP) during epidemic outbreaks and medical emergencies in ECOWAS member States.
The objective of this workshop is to build the capacity of stakeholders on the principles and key-practices in ICP. The exercise was a real opportunity to improve knowledge on the operational principles and management of epidemic-prone diseases treatment centres. It also tested the aptitudes and basic practices of members of the Regional Rapid Task Force (RRTF) in hand hygiene, bio-security, utilisation of personal protective gear, management of centres for patient sorting and management of medical wastes.
At the end of the simulation exercise and discussions at the workshop, relevant recommendations were addressed to WAHO to promote the prevention and control of infections at health facilities, particularly during epidemics and other health emergencies, this being a crucial component which is unfortunately neglected during the various interventions.
It is worth noting that the initiative is funded by the Regional Office of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the government of Japan, within the framework of the West Africa regional post-Ebola project.
