C’River, WHO, NCDC Train 34 Health Workers on Ebola Preparedness

Share on WhatsApp Share via Email The Cross River State Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), has trained 34 health workers on infection prevention and control (IPC) and water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) to strengthen the state’s preparedness for Ebola disease, particularly in border communities.

The training, held in Ikom Local Government Area, brought together surveillance officers, laboratory personnel and healthcare workers from Ikom, Etung, Yakurr, Obubra and Boki to improve their capacity for early detection, prompt reporting and appropriate response to suspected cases.

The Commissioner for Health, Dr Henry Egbe Ayuk, represented by the State Epidemiologist, Dr Inyang Ekpenyong, commended WHO and NCDC for their timely support, describing the exercise as an important step towards strengthening Ebola preparedness in Cross River State. She disclosed that no Ebola case had been reported in the state at the time of the training, stressing the importance of building health workers’ capacity before an emergency occurs.

“Preparedness is essential to an effective public-health response. Equipping our health workers with the knowledge and skills to recognise and promptly report suspected cases will help ensure that the state is better positioned to respond to potential threats,” Dr Ekpenyong said.

Representing the WHO Country Representative, Dr Pavel Ursu, the lead facilitator, Dr Edwin-Isotu Edeh, WHO National Technical Officer for Public Health and Environment, emphasised that early recognition, timely notification and strict adherence to infection prevention and control protocols were critical to an effective Ebola response.

“Early recognition of suspected cases, prompt notification of the appropriate authorities and strict infection prevention practices are critical to an effective Ebola response. Health workers must understand the procedures to follow to protect themselves, their patients and the wider community,” Dr Edeh said.

He discussed the signs and symptoms of Ebola, its modes of transmission, relevant epidemiological developments and ongoing preparedness efforts. Participants also received practical guidance on hand hygiene, the Identify–Isolate–Inform approach, the ring strategy and the role of WASH in preventing infections.

The Identify–Isolate–Inform approach requires health workers to recognise a possible case, arrange safe isolation in line with established protocols and promptly notify the appropriate public-health authorities for further assessment and action. The training emphasised adherence to approved case definitions and reporting procedures rather than making assumptions about a patient’s condition.

The choice of Ikom for the exercise was significant because of its location along the border with the Republic of Cameroon, making effective disease surveillance, prompt reporting and cross-border information sharing essential to identifying and managing potential public-health threats.

The Disease Surveillance and Notification Officer for Ikom Local Government Area, Mr Enya Eyam, expressed satisfaction with the training, noting that it had improved his capacity to identify and report suspected cases. “The training has strengthened my understanding of how to recognise a suspected case and the importance of reporting promptly through the appropriate channels. The knowledge gained will improve my effectiveness in carrying out surveillance duties,” he said.

The exercise also emphasised the consistent application of infection prevention and control measures, including regular hand hygiene, appropriate use of personal protective equipment, safe handling of potentially infectious materials, environmental cleaning and proper healthcare waste management.

Participants were reminded that reliable water supplies, functional handwashing facilities, adequate sanitation and effective waste disposal systems were essential to maintaining safe healthcare environments and protecting patients, health workers and visitors from infection.

The training highlighted the need for clear reporting channels, continuous staff awareness and effective community engagement, alongside sustained collaboration among the Ministry of Health, local government health departments, healthcare facilities, laboratories, WHO, NCDC and other relevant partners.

Residents were advised to remain calm, practise regular hand hygiene, avoid direct contact with the blood and other body fluids of anyone suspected or confirmed to have Ebola, and promptly seek professional medical advice if concerned about possible exposure or serious illness.