Ministry of Health has drilled 14 healthcare workers and veterinary officers in epidemiology to enhance responsiveness to disease outbreaks in Rumphi District.

The healthcare workers conducted a three-month research on topics such as HIV and syphilis infections among pregnant women, cervical cancer screening and others at different health facilities in the district.

Speaking in Rumphi on Friday during the graduation of the healthcare workers, Ministry of Health deputy director for preventive health services responsible for environmental health Alone Ganizani said the initiative will ensure speedy response to disease outbreaks in the district.

Shaba (R) receives a certificate from Ganizani

He said health facilities in rural areas have been relying on specialists from the ministry’s headquarters in Lilongwe which delayed response to outbreaks.

“However, there is still a huge gap to fill in the field of epidemiology as there are144 epidemiologists, which is less than 20 percent of the target,” said Ganizani.

One of the healthcare workers, Andrew Mzumara from Rumphi District Hospital, said the research-based training will enhance identification of cases and response.

“Although we could identify cases in the past, we could not get to the bottom of the infections because of lack of skills,” he said.

Another trainee, Sharon Shaba, an assistant veterinary officer based at Bolero, said she acquired skills to conduct disease surveillance.

The training was funded by the Centre for Disease Control.

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