DRDM workshop prepares against trans-boundary epidemics |28 April 2015

As part of the continuous effort to protect the population from trans-boundary epidemics, the Division of Risk and Disaster Management (DRDM) is holding a training workshop on measures to keep the country free of such danger and on procedures to follow in case an outbreak hits the population.

Named ‘Emergency Operation Centres’ Procedures and Preparedness for Trans Boundary Diseases’, the four-day workshop is being organised with the collaboration of the United Nation Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (Unocha), the World Health Organisation (WHO), the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the Seychelles’ Ministry of Health.

It was officially launched by the Minister for Health Mitcy Larue in a short ceremony at the Seychelles Trading Company’s (STC) conference room on Latanier Road yesterday morning.

Reminding of the Ebola virus and other diseases which still pose a threat to the world, Minister Larue said that Seychelles has more than ever recognised the need to get systems in place to respond to such emergencies.

She added that her ministry is delighted to be collaborating with fervent and important partners in the process.

As the journey against epidemics continues, she urged that the stakeholders remain united and cohesive in this common goal.

She warned against complacency as she recalled that as the Ebola situation aggravated, some countries found that they were ill prepared to deal with it and had to revise their strategies and processes.  

As a result, and as physical distances offer no protections any more, she emphasised that we cannot continue to act like we are in a vacuum and that the answer rather lies in preparedness to react in the most scientific, coordinated and effective way when these diseases strike.

“Ebola served the purpose of a waking-up call for the world. Being a global village that we live in these days due to ease of travel, every country is vulnerable to diseases outbreak, and diseases do not respect boundaries. An outbreak in the Far East can reach a rural area in West Africa within a day or two. Increasing movement of people across the globe meant spread disease from man to man and also through conveyance and goods. In recent years, we have witnessed the spread of Sars and H1N1 across continents; multiple drug resistant TB and MRSA remain a constant threat and so does new strains of influenza, not forgetting the new Middle East Respiratory Virus syndrome (MERVS),” the Minister stressed.

The health minister concluded that as we have many lessons to learn from, we cannot be prepared enough.  
During the four days’ work, delegates from the DRDM, Unocha, WHO, Ministry of Health and other partner organisations will learn more on management of Emergency Operation Centres in terms of planning, command, structure, communication, logistics and general operations.

They will also evaluate Seychelles’ state of preparedness in view of a potential influenza outbreak and make proposals for corrections in case of weak points.