CERFIG: training for One Health platform players launched

The training of actors of the One Health platforms was officially launched this Monday at the Center for Research and Training in Infectiology of Guinea (CERFIG). This initiative aims to strengthen the skills of professionals involved in monitoring and combating diseases with epidemic potential.

Initiated by CERFIG, this training will extend over a period of one month. It will bring together actors from One Health platforms, coming from the administrative regions of Guinea and the capital Conakry. The training takes place within the framework of the DOPERAUS project with funding from the International Development Research Center (IDRC) of Canada.

Why strengthen the capacities of actors?

In 2014, Guinea faced the Ebola epidemic, the largest health crisis in the country, and one of the most significant health crises in Africa. These reasons prompted CERFIG to initiate this training, as part of epidemiological surveillance. During the opening ceremony, Professor Abdoulaye Touré, Director of CERFIG, underlined the importance of this training in a country regularly faced with health crises.

“Afterwards, other epidemics followed, and even now we face diseases such as measles and Lassa fever. Therefore, it is important for us to continue to strengthen the capacities of actors who are on the ground, on the front line in monitoring these diseases with epidemic potential. ", he declared.

Faced with these challenges, it is essential to strengthen the capacities of field actors, who play a key role in the surveillance and management of these diseases.

“More than 7 out of 10 diseases with epidemic potential that occur in humans are of animal origin, while humans and animals live in the same environment. It is a joint action which makes it possible to fight against diseases with epidemic potential. concludes the director of CERFIG.

Multidisciplinary training

The training program is based on 7 modules covering various aspects of field epidemiology, is focused on the One Health approach which recognizes the interconnection between human, animal and environmental health. In fact, more than 70% of diseases with epidemic potential that affect humans are of animal origin. In this context, concerted action is essential to prevent and contain epidemics.

Professor Alexandre Delamou, professor of public health and principal consultant of the program, detailed the content of the training modules.

“We will start with the concepts of One Health. We will also discuss epidemiology, epidemiological surveillance in the animal world, as well as sample management and transport. A module is also devoted to operational research. The objective is that the participants, once trained, can in turn train other actors in their locality,” he explained.

Capitalize on this training

Dr Gbamou Nouanan, representative of the National Health Security Agency (ANSS), welcomed the initiative while insisting on the need for better exploitation of this training. “It’s a great initiative, and this training is very rich. You do enough training, but you don't capitalize on it. At the end of this training, you must be able to collaborate for effective public health management,” he declared.

With this training, Guinea is strengthening its epidemic prevention and response system, by equipping its field workers with the skills necessary for effective surveillance.

Mansa Moussa Mara