Healthcare workers at Songwe District Hospital have strengthened their preparedness to respond to Ebola and other infectious disease outbreaks after completing specialised training organised by the Ministry of Health.
The training focused on infection prevention and control, equipping frontline health workers with practical skills to protect themselves while caring for patients during disease outbreaks.
Acting Medical Officer in Charge of Songwe District Hospital, Dr Benjamin Switi, said the programme has enhanced the hospital's capacity to respond safely and effectively should an outbreak occur.
Speaking on Monday, Dr Switi said participants received hands-on training on the correct use of personal protective equipment (PPE), including proper procedures for donning and removing protective clothing, as well as infection prevention protocols when managing suspected or confirmed Ebola cases.
"The skills acquired through this training will improve our preparedness for potential outbreaks while ensuring healthcare workers can continue providing safe, quality services in accordance with professional standards," he said.
The Ministry of Health's Emergency Medicine specialist, Dr Frederick Myula, said the training forms part of the government's broader efforts to strengthen emergency and critical care services while improving national preparedness for Ebola and other public health emergencies.
He said participants were trained on the safe use of protective equipment and evidence-based approaches to managing suspected Ebola patients, helping reduce the risk of transmission within healthcare facilities.
"The government continues to invest in building the capacity of healthcare professionals to ensure Tanzanians receive safe, quality healthcare services at every level of the health system," Dr Myula said.
An emergency and critical care nurse at Songwe District Hospital, Agustino Madoshi, said the programme had deepened health workers' understanding of outbreak preparedness and strengthened their confidence in responding to highly infectious diseases.
He thanked the Ministry of Health and the trainers for delivering the programme, noting that the knowledge gained would enable health workers to respond effectively while protecting both patients and healthcare personnel in the event of an Ebola outbreak.
