Story by, Nsor Paul Mensah
The World Health Organization (WHO) hosts regional simulation exercise on health emergency preparedness, bringing together UN agencies, NGOs, UNICEF and representatives from several West African countries to Ghana today 12th November 2024.
Dr. Mori Keita, the Regional Advisor for Infectious Hazard Preparedness at the WHO Regional Office in Africa, at the event emphasized that Emergency preparedness is part of the global emergency cycle, he encourage all countries to be prepared before the occurrence of any emergency situation.
The simulation is a monitoring and evaluation aspect of the International Health Regulations, which require countries to test their capacity to respond to emergency situations through regular exercises. This multi-agency simulation provides a unique opportunity for collaboration and the sharing of innovative approaches.
According to Dr Keita, Ghana was selected as the host country due to its existing infrastructure, including a WFP hub, as well as its critical role in the West Africa region. The country has previously dealt with outbreaks of Ebola and COVID-19, making it an ideal location to leverage existing capacity and knowledge.
"This is an opportunity to leverage the capacity that has been already strengthened in place, and we also need to share this knowledge with other countries,".
Speaking at the opening of the simulation exercise, Dr. Darius Osei, Technical Advisor to the Minister of Health, acknowledged the gaps that remain in Ghana's health system despite the government's efforts to encourage innovation. "There are still vulnerabilities for both our health systems and populations," he said, emphasizing the critical need to address these shortcomings.
The innovative solutions being tested include rapid-deployment health emergency facilities that can be set up within 24 hours to commence treatment of infectious disease cases. This model is designed to minimize the risk of disease spread during patient transportation and prevent established healthcare facilities from being overburdened or stigmatized during outbreaks.
Dr. Osei expressed confidence that these new technologies will be "game-changers in the management and response to outbreaks of dangerous pathogens." He commended the World Health Organization, UNICEF, the World Food Program, and other partners for their collaboration and the progress made in developing these pertinent solutions.
The Ghanaian government has pledged its full support for the initiative and looks forward to utilizing the products in future disease outbreak scenarios. Dr. Osei welcomed the international participants to Ghana, thanking the partners for choosing the country as the destination for this important exercise.
"I am certain this exercise will yield the desired results," he said, "as we work together to improve global health security by acting locally."
The week-long event will focus on capacity building, deepening collaboration, and reflecting on lessons learned to strengthen Ghana's preparedness and response capabilities.
For his part, Juan Emmanuel DEWEZ from UNICEF, said this exercise is crucial, as lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic and past Ebola outbreaks in West Africa have highlighted the need for countries to be better prepared for public health crises.
The purpose of the simulation was to evaluate how quickly this new hospital model can be set up and made operational. The smallest module of the hospital can be deployed in just one day, while a larger capacity can be established within one week - a remarkably fast timeline compared to traditional hospital construction.
He said the key focus for UNICEF was ensuring the hospital design is child-friendly, as children who need to be isolated during infectious disease outbreaks can find the experience highly traumatic. UNICEF contributed to the facility's layout and features to create a secure, safe, and welcoming environment for young patients.
The simulation took place at an existing COVID-19 treatment center in Ghana, allowing for the participation of experts from around the world, including Europe. Leveraging local resources and international partnerships, the exercise aimed to rigorously test the practicality and efficiency of this new rapid response hospital model.
The successful completion of this simulation exercise marks an important step in strengthening global preparedness for future public health emergencies. By developing innovative solutions like this deployable hospital, countries can be better equipped to protect vulnerable populations, especially children, when the next crisis strikes.
The exercise aims to help countries in the West Africa region to enhance their preparedness and response capabilities, ensuring they are better equipped to handle future health emergencies. By fostering collaboration and sharing best practices, the WHO hopes to strengthen the overall resilience of the West African health system.