The completion of the second cohort of African Health Volunteers Corps (AVoHC) SURGE training in Ethiopia has been announced by the World Health Organization Ethiopia. The training, which took place from November 6th to December 8th, 2023, had 92 participants, 22 of whom were female. It aimed to enhance the country’s emergency preparedness and response capabilities as part of the Emergency Preparedness and Response Initiative.
Dr. Mesay Hailu, Director General of the Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI), emphasized that the AVoHC SURGE initiative is designed to develop in-country teams that can be rapidly deployed with technical expertise during times of emergency. The program aims to build a network of response professionals who can act swiftly and effectively to protect the health and well-being of communities.
The second cohort of trainees demonstrated a commitment to strengthening the capacity to tackle public health crises by acquiring essential skills and knowledge in core emergency response functions. They were also given the opportunity to become change agents and make a tangible difference in the lives of their communities.
The successful completion of the 2nd cohort AVoHC SURGE training signifies Ethiopia’s commitment to enhancing its emergency preparedness and response capabilities. The head of Federal Police Commission Health main Department, Commander Dr. Abrham Tefera, emphasized that such training strengthens emergency response capabilities, protecting the health of communities.
The second cohort trainees were drawn from various regions and sectors, and the program is part of a larger initiative to improve the capacity of all member states to prepare, detect and respond to public health emergencies within the Africa Region.
The success in completion of the training program signifies a commitment to safeguarding public health in Ethiopia. And the preparation for Ethiopia’s 3rd Cohort of AVOHC SURGE training has already commenced.
The content was distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Health Organization (WHO) – Ethiopia.