Seychelles gets ready to tackle any flu pandemic
10.07.2009
Seychelles’ capacity to deal with any flu pandemic is to be strengthened after an exercise conducted here by United Nations officials yesterday.
The tabletop exercise was held after the first case of swine flu – influenza A (H1N1) – was confirmed in the country on Tuesday.
Three officials from the UN’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs-Regional Office for Southern Africa (OCHA-ROSA) led a one-day workshop at the International Conference Centre to look at the situation in Seychelles.
Ms Athanasius (centre in photo above) addressing delegates attending the exercise yesterday
The UN office’s regional planning officer for pandemic influenza contingency, Noroarisoa Rakotondrandria, headed the team in assessing the disaster preparedness and response tools and identified gaps in the national contingency plan.
They also discussed the way forward whereby the UN and partners will work to support strengthening of emergency preparedness and response.
The Department of Risk and Disaster Management (DRDM) organised the workshop in collaboration with the OCHA-ROSA and the Ministry of Health and Social Development. The department’s director-general Michel Vielle was also present to help coordinate the session.
Other aims of the exercise were to share knowledge and to understand the role of the UN system and its partners in disaster preparedness and response.
“The exercise will test the contingency plan on pandemic preparedness in the country and strengthen the understanding on various issues to be considered during a pandemic outbreak,” said principal secretary in the Vice-President’s Office Lucy Athanasius.
Also responsible for the DRDM and chairperson of the National Disaster Committee, Ms Athanasius said the exercise is aimed at strengthening “our understanding on various issues to be considered during a pandemic outbreak”.
She said the world was awakened by the news of a new influenza virus, the A (H1N1), and in this pandemic situation countries have been urged and are expected to update their flu contingency plans.
“The exercise will not only test our nation’s pandemic readiness, but will also leave us with a better prepared state of mind regarding our preparedness for this pandemic H1N1 and any other similar medical disaster that dares land on our shores,” she said.
Ms Athanasius added that the exercise was being held at a time when the first case of swine flu had arrived in the country. She said the workshop was planned way before, adding that it will help tackle the pandemic and reduce its negative impact at national level and on the economy.
“Today’s exercise is an opportunity to reflect on the status of our preparedness for mitigation, response and recovery from an influenza pandemic and to discuss the roles of stakeholders,” she said.
World Health Organisation liaison officer Cornelia Atsyor, who attended the workshop, said the role of the UN is to provide technical support and to look at the preparedness of the country.
“The UN needed to see how the country is prepared across sectors, organisations and private businesses,” added Dr Atsyor.
She said the UN has already mobilised logistics in terms of drugs and other supplies coming into the country. It will now provide tools and guidelines to help the country in its plans and to define the roles and responsibilities of agencies and other public and private partners.
During the workshop, a thorough study of the 2007 preparedness plan was carried out to find weaknesses, and the necessary changes were made. A finalised plan is expected by the end of the month.
The workshop was attended by representatives of various sectors such as health, environment, immigration and natural resources. Also present were members of the National Disaster Committee.