Kenya’s MSF Training Center Equips Health Workers for DRC’s Ebola Battlefront BODY: Nairobi, Kenya – In the face of the fastest-growing Ebola outbreak in history, Kenya has become a training ground for health workers ready to deploy to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The outbreak, declared in mid — May, has already taken at least 600 lives, including 112 health workers, with 35 of them succumbing to the disease.
The Doctors Without Borders (MSF) has established a state-of-the-art training facility on the outskirts of Nairobi. This center is a hub for equipping doctors, nurses, and clinicians with the necessary skills and protective gear to tackle the challenging conditions in the DRC.
The training program is comprehensive, featuring hands — on simulations with mannequins, practical experience with personal protective equipment (PPE), and instruction on infection control and patient care. Trainees, many of whom are MSF staff, also come from Kenya, the DRC, and other African nations. One trainee, Cisse Papa Ndiaga, an MSF community health worker from Senegal, noted the stark difference between theoretical knowledge and the reality of working in PPE. “.
Often, you come from a hospital and a university, you have knowledge and you think you can handle it, “he. “But once you’re in PPE, it’s a different story. “.
The MSF training center also focuses on community engagement, addressing the fear and misinformation that have hindered effective response efforts. Trainees learn how to sensitise and empathise with communities, ensuring that they are more accepting of health workers and the necessary precautions.
As the training center continues its operations, with plans to run through August and potentially beyond, it is preparing around 100 health workers per month.
The center aims not only to prepare its staff for the deployment but also to train Kenyan Ministry of Health officials and staff from other NGOs.
The training and deployment of these health workers are crucial in the fight against the Ebola outbreak.
As the international community watches the situation closely, the efforts of organizations like MSF and the dedication of health workers like Ndiaga are vital in controlling the spread of the virus and preventing further loss of life.
*Additional reporting by ImNews | Sources consulted: 5*
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This original article was produced by the ImNews editorial team
Source: Africanews
Source: Rédaction Africanews
