World Health
Organisation (WHO) and the Ministry of Health on Friday trained caregivers on
covid-19. The training brought together
security personnel, health care officials from both private and public
facilities.
The training
was aimed at training a multidisciplinary team of health care providers who
will be involved in the identification and management of covid-19 patients.
The expected
outcome of the training is to ensure that participants are able to describe how
covid-19 is transmitted, screen and trace cases of covid-19, described sample
collection and testing available for covid-19, treat confirmed cases of
covid-19, apply key principles of basic hygiene while working with covid-19
patients. They are also trained to describe the principles of home care for
mild covid-19 patients, utilize appropriate risk communication strategies,
identify a case of covid-19 if present
to a health facility, precaution health care workers should take to isolate a
patient, treatment classifications and management, infection preparedness,
protective measures as well as proper hand washing.
Dr. Sharmila
Jah, at Disease Prevention and Control, WHO Country Office The Gambia, said the
training was extremely useful because they are trying to build a very strong
multidisciplinary team.
She pointed
out that the menace of covid-19 cannot just be done by a nurse or doctor but by
a team of caregivers, noting that this was why participants will go back to
their respective institutions and conduct step down trainings for staff members
of their institutions.
Gambia’s
Health Minister Dr. Ahmadou Lamin Samateh last Tuesday confirmed the country’s
first covid-19 case in a televised statement. Dr. Jah reiterated the training
is even more important because of the confirmed case.
She observed
that new things are also coming up every day. She added that WHO is closely
working with the Ministry of Health at all levels and is committed to
supporting government to contain the outbreak and not allow it to spread.
Dr. Mustapha
Bittaye, acting director of Health, described the training as significant,
noting that the virus needs a lot of refresher training as managing cases
requires chain work.
He explained
that if someone in the chain is not very strong in infection control, it might
cause a problem.
He commended
government for committing 500 million dalasis towards covid-19.
According to
him, the World Bank and many other donors including Gambians have shown
interest in ensuring we curb the virus in the country and therefore thanked
them.
In conclusion
he appealed for the cooperation of covid-19 suspects.