Ntsoaki Motaung
At least 49 of Lesotho’s most qualified civil servants completed their training for the Africa CDC’s African Volunteer Health Corps initiative, Strengthening and Utilising Response Groups for Emergencies (AVoHC-SURGE), on Sunday.
They were awarded certificates of completion.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), the AVoHC-SURGE training aims to ensure that African countries are prepared to respond to health emergencies and humanitarian crises within 24 to 48 hours from the time of the incident.
Lesotho is the 18th country to benefit from this training so far.
Speaking at the closing ceremony of the training, Acting WHO Country Representative Dr. Mary Stephen emphasised the global risk of health emergencies. “The world is faced with a wide and diverse range of hazards associated with health emergencies, and all countries, including Lesotho, are at risk,” Stephen said.
She highlighted that the most recent strategic risk assessment, conducted in September 2022, showed that several African countries are at very high or high risk for infectious disease outbreaks, such as the ongoing COVID-19, cholera, pandemic influenza, and natural disasters.
“Preparing for and addressing these hazards effectively is vital to protecting people’s health and building resilient health systems,” she added.
Stephen also noted that globally, about three out of every four new or emerging infectious diseases in people come from animals.
“Of the 2,000+ public health events recorded in the African Region over the past 20 years, it is estimated that more than half were climate-related. Many diseases are caused by eating food contaminated with bacteria, viruses, parasites, or chemical substances – for example, incidents related to consumption of wild mushrooms in Leribe and Qacha’ Nek, and incidents related to consumption of dead animals.”
“With COVID-19, we saw significant increases not only with physical ailments but also with mental health challenges. This intensive training has prepared, capacitated, and improved our capabilities to deal with such events including those associated with natural disasters,” she said.
Dr. Lul Riek, Regional Director for Southern Africa of Africa CDC, stated that this initiative aligns perfectly with the African Union (AU)’s New Public Health Order, prioritising workforce development in healthcare to achieve a healthier, more resilient Africa.
Riek revealed that data on the health security agenda in Africa shows that since January this year, Africa CDC has monitored 82 health events, averaging 27 per week, with more than 160 health events annually.
“Climate change is exacerbating public health events in Southern Africa, highlighting the urgent need for health systems strengthening.”
Addressing the participants, Riek said: “Your skills and knowledge will build stronger health systems, improve healthcare delivery, save lives, and inspire others to join the fight for health security beyond Lesotho.”
He emphasised that AVoHC-SURGE responders are part of a global network of healthcare heroes writing a new chapter in public health history.
Meanwhile, Member of Parliament (MP) and Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Social Cluster, Mokhothu Makhalanyane, noted that the training comes at a critical time as the world continues to battle the COVID-19 pandemic, which has claimed millions of lives, including 709 in Lesotho.
Makhalanyane acknowledged that global preparedness and readiness to respond to such shocks are still challenged.
“The 2023 International Health Regulations (IHR) State Party Annual Assessment (SPAR) showed that the global IHR capacities’ implementation is at 67 percent, with the Africa region at 50 percent and Lesotho at 40 percent. It is therefore vital to appreciate this training that helps Lesotho to join the Africa Region and the globe in being better prepared to respond to shocks,” he said.
He added that the government has responded to public health events using available systems that worked to some extent.
He said strengthening the SURGE Flagship initiative strives to prioritise and enhance multisectoral coordination through the National Emergency Operation Centre (EOC) and Public Health Emergency Operation Centre (PHEOC), operational support and logistics, risk communication, community engagement, and workforce development.
“It is therefore the Government’s responsibility to support initiatives such as the training of responders who will be deployed within and outside the country to provide lifesaving care and support to those affected. The ability to respond swiftly and effectively to minimize the impact of shocks on our communities depends on human resource capacity and availability,” he said.