WHO, in collaboration with partners, conducted the Orientation of Rabies Control Programme for 55 healthcare workers from 10 districts at West Nusa Tenggara. The programme ran for four days, from 19th to 22nd March 2019, with the objective to raise awareness and improve knowledge of healthcare workers on rabies control. The Orientation of Rabies Control Programme was a multi-day collaborative program that covered updates on rabies situation at West Nusa Tenggara; national strategy on rabies control using the One Health approach; rabid animal-bite case management and rabies case management; infection control; integrated surveillance for rabies; joint outbreak field investigation; concept of joint risk assessment; risk communication; and monitoring and evaluation for rabies control programme.
During the orientation, the attending healthcare workers participated in interactive scenario-based case studies. These scenarios highlighted early detection and response for rabid animal bite cases and hands on rabies case management as well as protective measures such as washing wounds immediately with water and soap or detergent. At the end of the orientation programme, each participant developed recommended action points for their respective areas.
Some of the prime recommendations were:
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Establish rabies centers and primary healthcare centers that have trained healthcare workers
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Have good quality cold chain for Vaccine Against Rabies (VAR) stockpiles
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Develop and distribute updated Education, Information and Communication (EIC) materials
The orientation programme was conducted to hone the skillset of West Nusa Tenggara healthcare workers in, early detection and prompt treatment of rabies, in particular, rabid animal-bite cases.