Healthcare workers and veterinarians are undergoing a three-day training on community-based surveillance aimed at enhancing the detection, reporting, and response to vaccine-preventable and priority zoonotic diseases along the borders.

The training, done in collaboration with International Rescue Committee CORE Group Partners Project (CGPP), sought to strengthen the linkage between the facilities and community mobilizers.

The healthcare workers, drawn from the 19 cross-border facilities from Kibish, Loima, and Turkana West sub-counties, were joined by veterinary and disease surveillance sub-county coordinators.

In his opening remarks, on behalf of Preventive and Promotive Chief Officer, Director Alfred Emanman said that the Department is keen to empower communities on matters of health.

“Empowering communities to be early detectors serves as an early response for a minimal impact,” he said.

Dr Abubakar Siraj, from the CGPP Secretariat, highlighted that the training was to localize community-based surveillance to enhance the facility’s ability to detect, prevent, and respond to emerging and remerging diseases.

The training also served as one health approach orientation to the sub-county teams.