Frontline public health workers who have participated in TDR’s training programmes are applying what they’ve learned to current mpox preparedness and response efforts in several African countries.
At the bustling Habib Bourguiba University Hospital in Sfax, Tunisia, Dr Maroua Trigui recalls a pivotal moment three weeks ago. “I sent an email to the hospital director saying we need to organize a meeting with our hygiene team to discuss mpox preparedness,” she says. “Many of my colleagues, who had little knowledge about mpox, were eager to understand how it’s transmitted and to discuss prevention strategies.”
Following several subsequent meetings and training sessions, she conducted a study to assess her colleagues’ knowledge about mpox and the availability of personal protective equipment. She has also designed and implemented a new surveillance system for tracking infections that uses a QR code, replacing a paper-based system, and conducted meetings to help colleagues use it.
Dr Trigui’s proactive approach is a testament to the impact of the Structured Operational Research and Training Initiative (SORT IT). This programme, led by TDR, the Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases, has been instrumental in equipping healthcare professionals across Africa with the skills needed to tackle public health emergencies like mpox.
Dr Trigui, Assistant Professor in Preventive and Community Medicine in her hospital’s hygiene department and Infection Prevention and Control team, joined a SORT IT course held in United Arab Emirates in November 2023. “The training gave me a completely different vision of everything. It helped me to design studies better, analyze the data and present the findings effectively.”
Her experience is echoed by many SORT IT alumni who have been at the forefront of outbreak preparedness and response efforts. According to a recent survey, 54 out of 124 SORT IT alumni surveyed, from 28 countries, have been actively involved in mpox preparedness and response. Among these, 93% are applying the skills they acquired through SORT IT in their current roles.
Survey Results:
Ms Grace Funsani, Chief Epidemiology Officer at the Public Health Institute of Malawi, which is a directorate under the Ministry of Health, shared a similar experience. Her SORT IT training has been instrumental in her work both during the COVID-19 pandemic, when she was the incident manager for Mzimba North district, as well as now in preparing for mpox cases.
She is currently part of the mpox outbreak preparedness team, coordinating trainings for health workers who may encounter mpox cases, using and adapting WHO training materials to the Malawi context. “SORT IT has helped me with organizational skills for designing and refining this training programme and also to rapidly review the relevant documents,” Ms Funsani said.
The SORT IT programme is more than just a training initiative; it’s a catalyst for change. By empowering frontline health professionals like Dr Trigui and Dr Funsani, SORT IT is strengthening Africa’s capacity to respond to public health emergencies.
“It was really the best training experience I’ve ever had,” Dr Trigui said. “I now have a very clear vision about the type of information I need and how to use it.”
For more information, contact Dr Rony Zachariah.