Health workers across Fiji’s Western Division are enhancing their preparedness for disease outbreaks through a comprehensive three-day Divisional Outbreak Response Training (DORT). This initiative is particularly crucial as the region approaches the high-risk wet season, which often leads to increased disease transmission.
The annual training attracts a diverse group of frontline health professionals, including doctors, nurses, laboratory staff, health inspectors, and public health officers from various health facilities in Sigatoka, Nadi, Rakiraki, Tavua, Lautoka, and Ba. By working as a unified team, these participants are honing their skills to identify and manage communicable disease threats promptly, especially those associated with heavy rainfall and flooding.
The training is a collaborative effort between the Fiji Centre for Disease Control and the Environmental Health Unit, with vital technical support from the World Health Organization. The sessions emphasize practical measures for outbreak response, such as enhancing disease surveillance, analyzing health data, performing accurate laboratory tests, improving clinical care, and executing effective public health interventions.
A significant goal of the training is to devise practical, division-specific outbreak response plans. These tailored plans aim to facilitate quicker decision-making and improve coordination during health emergencies, ultimately strengthening the Western Division’s readiness to tackle emerging infectious disease risks.
This proactive approach not only aims to protect the health of communities in Fiji but also reflects a commitment to building resilient health systems capable of effectively managing future challenges.