UGANDA—The World Health Organization (WHO) has launched the AVoHC-SURGE training program for 100 emergency responders in Uganda, marking a significant step in strengthening the country’s capacity to combat infectious diseases.
AVoHC stands for Africa CDC’s African Volunteer Health Corps initiative, while SURGE refers to WHO’s initiative on Strengthening and Utilizing Response Groups for Emergencies.
This AVoHC-SURGE initiative represents a collaborative effort between WHO and Africa CDC, aimed at enhancing health security across Africa.
The training is part of the broader SURGE component of the emergency preparedness and response flagships, which also include initiatives like Promoting Resilient Systems for Emergencies (PROSE) and Transforming Africa Surveillance System (TASS).
The WHO Africa Regional Office launched these flagships in 2022 to address the urgent need for robust emergency preparedness and response mechanisms across the continent.
Uganda has a history of successfully managing public health emergencies, including Ebola, COVID-19, measles, and anthrax.
This success can be attributed to the country’s strong leadership and the rapid execution of outbreak response strategies.
The newly launched AVoHC-SURGE training program aims to build on this legacy by further enhancing Uganda’s emergency response capabilities.
The intensive training program, funded by the UK Government, commenced on August 5, 2024, and will run until September 24, 2024.
The curriculum is designed to be comprehensive, blending in-person and virtual learning modalities.
It covers key areas such as public health emergency operations, humanitarian coordination, gender-based violence response, and rapid response team deployment.
The program’s participants are drawn from WHO member states, civil society, and volunteer organizations, ensuring a diverse and well-rounded cohort.
Uganda now joins 20 other African nations that have implemented the AVoHC-SURGE training.
This initiative equips responders to tackle crises not only within their own borders but also across the African region.
The ultimate goal is to build a resilient national health system capable of responding swiftly and effectively to public health emergencies.
Dr. Daniel Kyabayinze, Uganda’s Director of Public Health at the Ministry of Health, emphasized the importance of a trained and prepared workforce.
He noted that the risks of infectious diseases and emergencies are heightened in their interconnected world.
He stressed that a well-prepared national workforce is crucial for effective defense against these threats.
For her part, Dr. Christine Musanhu Chiedza, WHO Representative in Uganda, highlighted the training’s potential to strengthen existing response structures, enhance health system resilience, and contribute to global health security.
Mukeh Kenneth Fahnbulleh, the lead facilitator, noted that the program’s facilitators, certified experts from WHO, Africa CDC, and WAHO, bring over a decade of experience in their fields.
Given the high frequency of major public health events in Africa, the need for a capable and responsive workforce is more pressing than ever.
The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the necessity of preparedness, and Uganda’s proactive steps reflect its commitment to effectively facing future challenges.
Supported by WHO, Uganda is adopting a multidisciplinary One Health approach, ensuring that it is equipped with a highly trained workforce ready to safeguard the health of its citizens and contribute to regional health security.
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