Dodoma : In gentle of a current Marburg Virus Illness (MVD) outbreak in neighbouring Rwanda, Tanzania has ramped up its efforts to organize for potential outbreaks of the lethal virus. To guage and enhance the nation’s preparedness, the World Well being Group (WHO) in collaboration with the Ministry of Well being and different companions, organized a tabletop simulation train to check the Nationwide Multi-Hazard Emergency Response Plan and the Nationwide MVD Contingency Plan.
The train noticed the participation of 40 people from varied sectors concerned in emergency response on the nationwide, regional, and district ranges. The simulation assessed the performance, comprehensiveness, and sensible applicability of Tanzania’s present response mechanisms to a Marburg virus outbreak.
Tanzania skilled its first outbreak of Marburg virus illness (MVD) in March 2023, which was swiftly and well timed managed. It was declared over on Could 31, 2023, after eight confirmed circumstances and one possible case have been reported. The One Well being Catalyst Officer at World Well being Group, Ms Pelagia Muchuruza indicated, “This tabletop train is a crucial step in strengthening Tanzania’s preparedness for Marburg Virus Illness. Via prior expertise in managing lethal outbreaks collaborative efforts and rigorous testing of response plans, we be certain that the nation is supplied with the mandatory instruments and coordination mechanisms to reply swiftly and successfully to any potential outbreak together with Marburg. WHO stays dedicated to supporting Tanzania in its efforts to safeguard public well being and defend communities.”
The train revealed necessary insights into the nation’s present preparedness. Contributors reviewed the 2024 Nationwide Multi-Hazard Emergency Response Plan and the Nationwide MVD Contingency Plan, figuring out each strengths and gaps within the nation’s potential to reply successfully. Key gaps included the necessity to contain extra sectors akin to Factors of Entry, Commerce, and Wildlife within the response framework. The train additionally highlighted the significance of bettering the dissemination of important response paperwork via extra widespread coaching and simulation workout routines.
Flora Mkongwi, a participant from Dodoma Referral Regional Hospital, shared her ideas on the train: “This tabletop simulation has been an eye-opener. It has given us the possibility to see how these key paperwork translate into motion throughout an actual outbreak. By training our roles and figuring out gaps, we’re higher ready to guard our communities within the occasion of a Marburg Virus Illness outbreak.”
Tanzania’s readiness evaluation in October 2024 had indicated a 58% preparedness stage for coordinating a response to an outbreak, with a specific give attention to bettering the implementation of the Incident Administration System (IMS). The simulation train underscored the significance of getting well-tested operational paperwork, akin to Customary Working Procedures (SOPs), response plans, and communication protocols, to make sure a streamlined and efficient response in occasions of disaster.
The outcomes of the simulation train, together with greatest practices and areas for enchancment, can be shared with stakeholders throughout the nation to strengthen Tanzania’s general well being response system. This initiative is a part of ongoing efforts to reinforce operational readiness and be certain that Tanzania is ready to successfully handle any potential MVD outbreaks sooner or later.
Because the nation continues to construct its capability for responding to extremely infectious illness outbreaks, the collaboration and knowledge-sharing fostered via such simulation workout routines play an important position in guaranteeing that Tanzania’s well being system is supplied to guard its inhabitants throughout public well being emergencies.