Ethiopia has taken a major step in strengthening its public well being emergency response capability with the profitable completion of the third cohort African Volunteers Well being Corps – Strengthening and Using Response Teams for Emergencies Corps (AVoHC-SURGE) Onboarding Coaching in Adama metropolis thirteenth January to thirteenth February 2025. A complete of 114 multidisciplinary public well being specialists graduated from the intensive four-week program, equipping them with vital abilities for fast deployment inside 24 to 48 hours throughout public well being emergencies. In whole, Ethiopia has skilled and licensed 304 variety of AVoHC-SURGE members throughout all areas in three cohorts, who’re readily and quickly deployable in emergency response. Ethiopia has dedicated to coaching 700 AVoHC-SURGE responders by 2026. The coaching led by the Ethiopian Public Well being Institute (EPHI) and supported by the World Well being Group (WHO), is a part of a broader effort to reinforce the continent’s emergency response capabilities.
The coaching program aligns with the Emergency Preparedness and Response Flagship Initiative launched by WHO AFRO and Africa CDC, which goals to strengthen Africa’s potential to detect, put together for, and reply to well being emergencies. The AVoHC-SURGE part of the initiative focuses on fast and efficient response, making certain that skilled professionals can be found for quick deployment throughout public well being response.
Through the closing ceremony on Feburary 14, 2025, high-level representatives from EPHI, the Ethiopian Nationwide Protection Pressure, the Federal Police Primary Well being Division, and WHO emphasised Ethiopia’s dedication to strengthening its workforce for pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response.
The four-week face-to-face coaching coated public well being emergency administration system, humanitarian coordination, prevention of gender-based violence and exploitation, fast response crew (RRT) and extra. With a 100% attendance charge, this system showcased the dedication of individuals and the effectiveness of the coaching strategy. Senior management from EPHI and WHO performed common supervisory visits, participating straight with trainees and offering suggestions to reinforce the training expertise.
Dr. Mesay Hailu, Director Normal of the Ethiopian Public Well being Institute (EPHI), highlighted the broader affect of the initiative, stating:
“This coaching isn’t just about emergency response; it’s about constructing a resilient public well being system that may stand up to future threats.”
The success of the AVoHC-SURGE coaching program has been made doable by means of the Ethio-Pandemic Multisectoral Preparedness and Response (EPPR) undertaking, funded by the Pandemic Fund. This funding performs an important position in strengthening Ethiopia’s emergency response infrastructure, making certain the nation is well-prepared for future public well being challenges.
Dr. Owen Legal guidelines Kaluwa, WHO Consultant to Ethiopia, emphasised the significance of this monetary backing, stating:
“The Pandemic Fund’s contribution has been instrumental in constructing Ethiopia’s emergency response workforce. With this help, we aren’t solely coaching people; we’re strengthening Ethiopia’s functionality to reply swiftly and successfully to public well being crises.”
The coaching program has additionally made important progress in gender inclusion, with feminine participation rising from 7% in earlier cohorts to 19% in the newest cohort. This marks a significant step towards gender fairness in Ethiopia’s public well being workforce, reinforcing the nation’s dedication to inclusivity and equal alternative in emergency response efforts.
Ethiopia’s continued funding in coaching and capability constructing is paving the best way for a extra resilient and ready public well being emergency response system. With a rising community of skilled responders, the nation is best geared up to deal with future well being threats and contribute to broader regional and world efforts in illness outbreak administration.
As these newly licensed responders stand prepared for deployment, Ethiopia takes a daring step towards a stronger, safer, and more healthy future.
