LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The World Health Organisation (WHO) in conjunction with the Ministry of Health (MOH) has trained 70 Malawian emergency responders ahead of eventualities who are ready to serve locally and internationally

The 70 emergency responders dubbed as avochsurge2023 are geared to respond to health emergencies within 24 to 48 hours.

The training is WHO’s priority activity in the two-year Emergency Preparedness and Response Flagship initiative which aims to train 200 emergency responders.

During the closing and awarding of certificates to AVoHC-SURGE emergency responders on Thursday, November 23, 2023, at Mponera, WHO Malawi Country Representative Dr Neema Rusibamayila Kimambo acknowledged their hard work and emphasized collaborated efforts for effective response.

Kimambo said, “Health emergencies transcend borders, regional security aims to prepare teams for local emergencies & foster collaboration with neighboring countries”.

In his remarks, Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DOMA) Director of Disaster Preparedness & Response, Reverend Moses Chimphepo said the intervention answers DODMA’s need for increased capacity for emergency response as recommended by Cyclone Freddy action review.

Chimphepo said Malawi needs an all-in-one emergency response system that cuts across all sectors.

In his closing remarks, MOH’s Malawi Principal Secretary Benson Chisamile says the training is timely for Malawi.

Chisamile said, “The country has experienced a series of public health emergencies including Cyclone Freddy and the recent Cholera outbreak. This milestone strengthens Malawi’s response capacities.”

Graduation of AVoHC-SURGE emergency responders also included the signing of a Memorandum Of Understanding (MoU)between WHO Malawi and the Ministry Of Health.

In the MoU, Malawi which gives guidance on how the parties will collaborate to push the Emergency Preparedness & Response agenda in the 2-year Flagship initiative roadmap and beyond.