Govt steps up Ebola preparedness in Kigoma

KIGOMA: THE government has stepped up Ebola preparedness in Kigoma Region by training frontline health workers and equipping designated treatment centres to strengthen the country’s readiness for possible disease outbreaks.

The Ministry of Health‘s Department of Emergency and Disaster Management conducted the training at Kasulu District Hospital in Nyamyusi in collaboration with the Prime Minister’s Office – Regional Administration and Local Government (PMORALG) and CIHEB-Tanzania under the Global Health Security Project.

Speaking yesterday, Emergency Diseases Coordinator at the Ministry of Health, Dr Erick Richard, said the government was strengthening preparedness by ensuring facilities designated to receive Ebola patients and suspected cases were equipped with medical supplies and other essential resources needed to respond effectively if an outbreak occurred.

“Today’s training has equipped health workers with practical skills on how to safely receive and manage an Ebola patient or suspected case, including the correct use of personal protective equipment. Gaps identified during the exercise have been addressed to further strengthen our preparedness,” Dr Richard said.

He urged Kigoma residents to continue following guidance issued by health experts and report anyone showing symptoms that could indicate Ebola or other infectious disease outbreaks.

CIHEB-Tanzania representative, Ms Nuru Ndaweka said the organisation would continue supporting the government through training and the provision of protective equipment, with plans to reach nine designated health facilities across eight councils in Kigoma Region.

Kasulu District Hospital Medical Officer in Charge, Dr Mahamudu Mitenda, said the training had improved the capacity of health workers to respond to disease outbreaks by strengthening their understanding of preparedness measures and the proper use of protective gear.

“Health workers have gained practical knowledge on preparedness and the correct use of protective equipment. We hope such training will continue regularly to strengthen readiness and safeguard public health,” he said.

The initiative forms part of ongoing efforts to strengthen frontline health facilities in border areas against Ebola and other infectious disease outbreaks through improved preparedness, equipment and rapid response capacity.