WHO, others provide Ebola training to health personnel

The World Health Organisation and partners such as the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare on Tuesday trained Gambian health personnel on existing procedures on how to manage an Ebola case. Though The Gambia is yet to register a confirmed an Ebola case, the organisers said it was fitting to boost the skills of healthcare personnel and as well provide them with the necessary equipment. The training took place at the Sanatorium Ebola Treatment Centre (ETC) at Saro along the Banjul Highway.

After taking the team of doctors and nurses through the entire exercise, Susanne Howes, a UK-based health expert with a vast knowledge of the deadly Ebola Virus Disease said the fact that there is no confirmed case of Ebola in both The Gambia and the UK should not be a cause for complacency. “We should be vigilant about it and take the necessary measures towards preventing it, which is why the ETC and the Gambian doctors and nurses are given the necessary skills and equipment to be ready to handle the deadly disease if it arise, she said.

Giving his evaluation remarks, Dr Chandralall Sookram, who works for the World Health Organisation described the training as successful stating that it was well executed by the doctor, nurse, patient and the flying squad that were selected for the simulation exercise.  He went on to say that The Gambia Ebola Treatment Centre is among the best he has seen in Africa given the way it is set.

On his part, the minister of Health and Social Welfare, Omar Sey commended the WHO for their support towards having the simulation exercise done in a manner which is appreciated by Gambian health experts. He went on to urge the health workers to show greater commitment in serving the people of the nation.

Meanwhile, the training was marked with a validation of the existing procedures for the Ebola Treatment Centre to safely manage a confirmed Ebola patient upon his or her arrival, and to identify areas for improvement when managing a n Ebola case at the centre. The exercise clarified roles and procedures for decontamination of transport vehicle and the management of contaminated wastes and materials utilised during the management of a confirmed Ebola patient.

By Abdoulie Nget