The World Health Organization (WHO) launched a three-week training program on Monday for 100 Kenyan health personnel on emergency response. This is part of an effort to strengthen the skills and core capacities of the emergency response workforce in public health. WHO Kenya Country Representative Abdourahmane Diallo noted that Kenya experienced several outbreaks and public health emergencies in 2022, and the training is expected to provide trainees with relevant tools and information required to handle current and future epidemics.
The training is part of the WHO’s Strengthening and Utilizing Response Groups for Emergencies initiative in the African region. The initiative aims to equip health workers with the necessary skills to respond to emergency situations, including disease outbreaks and natural disasters. The training will cover topics such as risk assessment, surveillance, laboratory diagnostics, infection prevention and control, and outbreak investigation and response.
The WHO is committed to supporting member states in building their capacity to prevent, detect and respond to health emergencies. The organization recognizes that the success of emergency response efforts depends on the skills and preparedness of the emergency response workforce. Therefore, the WHO is working closely with governments and partners to ensure that health workers have the necessary skills and resources to respond effectively to emergencies.
This training is just one of the many initiatives that the WHO is undertaking to strengthen health systems and improve health outcomes in Kenya and other countries in the African region. The organization continues to work closely with governments, health workers, and other partners to address the health challenges facing the region and to build more resilient health systems that can withstand future emergencies.
