Dakar – In a milestone for regional public well being, Dakar hosted its first regional Protected and Dignified Burial (SDB) coaching, gathering 30 individuals from 10 African international locations. Organized by the WHO Emergency Hub, the coaching marks the hub’s emergence as a regional reference centre for strengthening the capability of nationwide and regional specialists in managing public well being emergencies. This initiative not solely goals to avoid wasting lives but in addition to uphold cultural dignity and improve preparedness in opposition to outbreaks of haemorrhagic fevers like Ebola.
The teachings of earlier Ebola outbreaks resonate deeply within the workshop. “Through the 2014 outbreak, almost 60% of recent infections have been linked to unsafe burial practices,” mentioned Dr Thierno Balde, WHO Regional Emergency Coordinator in Dakar. “This coaching ensures that we don’t repeat historical past. It’s about defending lives whereas respecting cultural traditions.”
Zinedine Kada, the Regional Lead of Operations Assist and Logistics (OSL), highlighted his expertise throughout the 2018–2020 Ebola response within the Democratic Republic of the Congo. “We managed coaching and supervised SDB actions in a number of districts below difficult circumstances. Because of the RCCE division’s help, RCCE helped communities perceive the dangers of contamination linked to burials, considerably lowering transmission. Because of the joint RCCE and OSL actions, the SDB groups’ work has been embraced and accepted by the communities.
Members engaged in sensible workout routines, from accurately donning and eradicating PPE to role-playing real-life burial situations. “Protected burials aren’t only a technical process—they’re deeply private,” mentioned Kamal Ait-Ikhlef, WHO’s Well being Logistics Group Chief. “When executed proper, they construct belief between well being employees and communities. That belief is as important as any piece of apparatus.”
The workshop additionally explored cultural and emotional dimensions, with discussions led by cultural specialists and group leaders. “This coaching opened my eyes to the significance of partaking communities,” mentioned a participant from Sierra Leone. “We’re not simply managing a public well being disaster—we’re navigating deeply rooted beliefs and practices.”
By the top of the week, individuals aren’t simply geared up with expertise—they’re a part of a rising community of SDB trainers prepared to steer of their communities. “This coaching of trainers is a method for the individuals to applicable and switch these technical expertise linked to SDB actions to restrict VHF ailments particularly throughout VHF outbreaks,” famous Zinedine Kada. “The individuals will practice different employees and switch this information to all of the technical departments involved within the Ministries of Well being of the international locations represented right here as we speak.”
A Senior Medical Officer from Uganda’s Ministry of Well being mirrored on the coaching’s influence: “This coaching has been each well timed and transformative. I really feel geared up to coach colleagues on the nationwide stage on protected and dignified burials (SDB) and collaborate with them to cascade these trainings to sub-national ranges. It should undoubtedly improve our preparedness for future outbreaks, which stay unpredictable primarily based on the background that, Uganda has skilled a number of Ebola Virus Illness outbreaks, the newest being declared in 2022.”For the WHO Dakar Hub, this occasion represents a turning level in constructing Africa’s regional preparedness. “That is just the start,” emphasised Dr. Balde. “We’re constructing resilient programs and empowering people to behave as brokers of change.”
Dakar’s regional hub is solidifying its position as a key participant in public well being emergency response, enabling technical capability constructing at an unprecedented scale. “This workshop underscores the significance of remodeling challenges into alternatives for resilience,” famous Kada.
Because of the dedication of those trainers, the battle in opposition to haemorrhagic fevers is bolstered, making certain that security and dignity stay on the forefront of outbreak responses throughout Africa.