WHO – with funding from the European Union – recently trained 140 frontline health workers from all over Georgia on how to effectively respond to COVID-19 while protecting their own safety and preventing further transmission.
With the Emergency Situations Coordination and Urgent Assistance Centre, WHO facilitated the training of ambulance doctors, nurses and emergency vehicle drivers on standard operating procedures for preventing and controlling infection during the transportation of patients with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 cases.
The initiative was carried out as part of the Solidarity for Health program implemented by WHO and funded by the European Union (EU).
The newly-trained health workers will also share knowledge with their colleagues – over 7 000 medical specialists, village doctors, ambulance teams and resuscitators.
Earlier on in the crisis when information was lacking, the virus spread quickly in Georgia among medical staff. With better-trained personnel, WHO and partners are ensuring that the health system is well prepared for a resurgence of cases.
The first phase of the joint WHO–EU Solidarity for Health initiative focused on the COVID-19 response. It included the delivery of more than 1.5 million items of personal protective equipment for frontline health and laboratory workers, a study to gain insights into COVID-19-related behaviours among the general population, and support to strengthen national capacities for enhanced surveillance and infection prevention and control.
This assistance is part of a wider package of EU support for Georgia of over 400 million euros (almost 1.5 billion Georgian lari).
WHO thanks all donors and partners who have contributed to fund the Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan to combat COVID-19. A special appreciation goes to Member States and other contributors who provided flexible funds, making it possible for WHO to deliver a coherent, strategic and broad response.