ZANZIBAR: HEALTH authorities in Zanzibar have stepped up efforts to guard against Ebola by training medical professionals in rapid detection, safe handling, and clinical management of suspected cases, as part of broader measures to strengthen outbreak preparedness on the islands.
The hands-on training, held at Pangatupu District Hospital, brought together health workers who were drilled on how to identify, isolate, test, and manage suspected Ebola cases while maintaining strict infection prevention and control standards.
Speaking after the training, Zanzibar’s Director of Preventive Services and Health Education at the Ministry of Health, Dr Salim Slim, said the initiative will strengthen the country’s capacity to prevent, detect, and respond to potential outbreaks.
“This training is meant to increase the number of skilled professionals who can respond effectively to Ebola and other infectious disease threats,” Dr Slim said.
He added that Ebola requires extreme caution among health workers due to the high risk of infection during patient care, stressing the importance of strict adherence to safety procedures.
“We are dealing with a highly dangerous disease. Health workers must remain vigilant and apply all the safety measures they have been trained on,” he said.
Dr Slim urged participants to put what they learnt into practice and strengthen surveillance and response systems to ensure swift and effective handling of any suspected cases.
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He said the programme was implemented by the Ministry of Health in collaboration with Ciheb Tanzania under the Global Health Security Project, aimed at reinforcing national preparedness against infectious diseases.
He also called on Ciheb Tanzania, development partners, and other stakeholders to continue supporting similar capacity-building initiatives to strengthen outbreak response expertise.
Ciheb Tanzania Project Manager for Infection Prevention and Control, Dr Christina Mmasa, noted that the training was designed to give health workers practical exposure to procedures required when managing suspected Ebola cases.
She said the involvement of a multidisciplinary team has improved Zanzibar’s readiness by ensuring the availability of personnel capable of screening, testing, and providing initial care for suspected cases.
Speaking on behalf of the facilitators, Dr Erick Edward from the Tanzania Mainland Ministry of Health said no suspected Ebola case has been reported in Zanzibar so far.
However, he said the exercise demonstrated that the health workforce is prepared and capable of responding effectively should a case arise.
Participants said the training had sharpened their skills and boosted their confidence in handling suspected Ebola cases, noting that it will strengthen overall emergency preparedness and response capacity.