2nd Cohort of AVoHC SURGE Training Kicked Off
The 2nd Cohort of the Ethiopian National AVoHC SURGE responders face to face onboarding training of multi deciplinary experts has been officially opened on November 6, 2023 in Hawassa. 110 trainees have been enrolled for this training which takes one month.
Dr. Mesay Hailu, Director General of the Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI) while officially openinig the training indicated that throughout this training program, the trainees will have the chance to acquire essential skills and knowledge in core emergency response functions. “From epidemiology to logistics coordination, you will engage in critical areas that will empower you to address complex emergency situations with confidence and expertise,” added Dr. Mesay.
Deputy Director General of EPHI Dr. Melkamu Abte in his key note speech said that the AVoHC SURGE initiative aims to develop in-country teams that can rapidly be deploy with a technical expertise during times of emergency. By fostering multi-sectoral coordination and integrating emergency rosters, we are building a network of response professionals who can act swiftly and effectively to protect the health and well-being of our communities.
Dr. Patrick Abok World Health Organization’s (WHO) Emergency Prepardness and Response Cluster Team Lead on his speech indicated that man made and natural disasters occure in Ethiopia and so as a country we have to be prepared for response and WHO will continue to support the Ministry of Health and EPHI in such kind of capacity building programs and on other related aspects.
Ato Aschalew Abayneh Emergency Management Support Pillar Head also presented the overview of the Emergency Prepardness and Response (EPRP) Flagship Initiative. Ato Aschalew explained that last June 2023, 98 experts graduated from this training and already have been deployed to diiferent critical assignments.
The trainees are drawn from different regions, City Administration, Ministry of Health, EPHI, Ministry of Agriculture, Ethiopian Pharmaceuticals Supply Agency, Federal Hospitals, Federal Police and Ethiopian Disaster Risk Managent Commission.