KAPENGURIA – Healthcare workers in West Pokot County have strengthened their capacity to detect, investigate and respond to Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) and other public health emergencies following the completion of a five-day Rapid Response Teams (RRT) training in Kapenguria.
The training, which concluded on Friday August 14, at Kalya Hotel, Kapenguria, brought together healthcare workers and public health officials for intensive sessions aimed at enhancing the county’s preparedness and ability to mount a coordinated response to disease outbreaks.
The training was organised by the Kenya National Public Health Institute (KNPHI) in partnership with FHI 360 under the STRIDES programme.
Participants were trained in EVD surveillance and case investigation, laboratory diagnosis, case management, infection prevention and control, risk communication and community engagement, safe and dignified burials, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), points-of-entry surveillance and coordination of emergency response activities.
The training also featured practical exercises on personal protective equipment (PPE) donning and doffing, hand hygiene, chlorine mixing, cleaning and disinfection, specimen collection and packaging, epidemiological data management and tabletop simulation exercises.
Speaking during the closing ceremony, West Pokot County Director for Health and Sanitation, Dr. Solomon Kokwo, commended the participants and partners for their commitment to strengthening the county’s preparedness and response systems.
“The knowledge and practical skills gained during this training will enhance our ability to detect and respond to Ebola and other public health emergencies effectively,” Dr. Kokwo said.
The participants concluded the training with post-training assessments, development of emergency response work plans and presentations aimed at translating the knowledge acquired into practical preparedness and response measures.
The training comes as health authorities continue to strengthen disease surveillance and emergency response capacity to ensure that suspected outbreaks are detected early and contained before spreading within communities.
The initiative is expected to enhance coordination among healthcare workers and other key responders, while improving the county’s readiness to manage Ebola and other emerging public health threats.
