Qualitative After-Action Review of Cholera in Ethiopia: Lessons Learnt, Best Practices, Challenges, and Perspectives for the Future
Copyright (c) 2024 Ethiopian Medical Journal
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
- Articles
- Submited: June 5, 2024
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Published: October 1, 2024
Abstract
Abstract
Introduction: Cholera is an important public health problem worldwide. However, there was limited documentation of lessons learned that could be applied to future improvements in Ethiopia.
Objective: To assess the overall cholera outbreak response, validate existing mechanisms, and best practices and identify areas in Ethiopia, October 2019.
Methods and materials: This After-Action Review (AAR) was conducted in Ethiopia from October 23rd to 25th, 2019 focused on the cholera outbreak from April 2019 to September 2019. A qualitative method with a participatory approach was used, using the standardized World Health Organization (WHO) guide for AAR. A total of 40 participants were from three regions (Afar, Amhara, and Oromia), and the Ethiopian Public Health Institute. The facilitators were from the Ministry of Health and WHO. Five working groups examined eight functional areas in total examined eight functional areas in total.
Results: The emergency operation center coordinated the national and regional cholera response. Social mobilization and reactive Oral Cholera Vaccine campaigns reduced financial burden and fostered trust in healthcare. Damaged water sources and pipeline maintenance helped control the outbreak. Redeployment of mobile health teams alleviated human resource shortages. Challenges during the response included late detection, weak multi-sectoral taskforce functionality, budget constraints, poor infrastructure, inadequate human resources, laboratory supplies, and delayed initial effective response.
Conclusions: Enhancing the surveillance system, operationalizing multisectoral coordination, and promoting community engagement and early risk communication can enhance the country's preparedness for future public emergency response, thereby enhancing public health system responsiveness.
Keywords: After action review, Cholera, Outbreak response, Lessons learned, Core capacities, Ethiopia
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