The Ministry Health in Muchinga Province, in collaboration with the Zambia National Public Health Institute (ZNPHI) has successfully concluded a five-day Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) preparedness training for frontline health workers. A total of 66 health facility staff from Chinsali and Mpika districts, were equipped with vital skills in key areas, including EVD surveillance, Infection […]
The Ministry Health in Muchinga Province, in collaboration with the Zambia National Public Health Institute (ZNPHI) has successfully concluded a five-day Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) preparedness training for frontline health workers.
A total of 66 health facility staff from Chinsali and Mpika districts, were equipped with vital skills in key areas, including EVD surveillance, Infection Prevention and Control (IPC), early detection, safe patient referral, contact tracing, and risk communication.
Muchinga Province Health Director, David Silweya, described the training as a critical milestone in strengthening local capacity to detect, prevent, and rapidly contain any potential EVD threats.
“We commend all participants and partners for their unwavering commitment to public health emergency preparedness and health security,” Dr Silweya stated.
He added that the capacity-building initiative will significantly safeguard both frontline healthcare workers and the communities they serve.
Dr Silweya further emphasized that such training fosters seamless collaboration between health workers and key stakeholders, keeping them vigilant and ready to respond.
He noted that the training is part of a broader set of proactive containment measures deployed across the province, with a particular focus on enhancing rapid response mechanisms at various border posts.
Dr Silweya noted that Muchinga Province remains committed to strengthening readiness and response capacity to protect communities from public health threats.
As of 18th August 2026, the Democratic Republic of Congo had recorded 5,021 confirmed cases and 2,378 confirmed deaths in its current Ebola outbreak, making it the deadliest in the country’s history, while Uganda has also reported 20 confirmed cases and 2 deaths (WHO Regional Situation Report #12, 19th August 2026).
Ebola Virus Disease spreads through direct contact with infected bodily fluids, tissues, or contaminated materials not through the air and can be highly fatal without early detection and care.
Key strategies discussed included active case finding, contact tracing, 21-day monitoring of exposed individuals, isolation of suspected cases, and rapid laboratory testing to break chains of transmission.
Equally important was the focus on Risk Communication and Community Engagement, building trust, dispelling harmful rumors, and encouraging early medical care through active community partnerships rather than one-way messaging.
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