Preparing for Ebola, the experiences of a national training team (Ghana).

The continuing spread of the Ebola Viral Disease (EVD) in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone requiring its declaration as a public health emergency galvanized many African nations into increasing their level of preparedness. The WHO and MSF provided technical support to countries close to and beyond the epicenter. Ghana’s preparedness plan had training of health and other workers as one of its pivots. A team of trainers drawn from academia, the public sector and the World Health Organization were tasked to train national and regional teams. A total of 571 health personnel were trained across the ten regions of Ghana over 4 months in 2014. The trainers share some of their experiences in preparing a nation for an unknown disease. The transformation of health worker attitudes from antagonistic to willingness to help was one of the many positive experiences as well as watching health worker confidence increase in the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and offering suggestions on how to improve on preparedness plans. However challenges remained, some of which were lack of funds, changing case definitions, unwillingness to let go of territorial control and non standardization of PPEs. Despite these, there was increased confidence among health personnel with regards to EVD management and general infection prevention and control in health care settings. The trainers recognize the need for frequent simulations and monitoring as training is scaled down to all levels of the health care delivery system to ensure adequate preparedness.