US Conducts Workshop to Improve Health Professionals’ Skills
The United States Mission in Nigeria is conducting a workshop for health care personnel in West Africa. The program is aimed at equipping the participants with the requisite skills to respond effectively to outbreaks of infectious diseases in the region.
The Nigerian Ministry of Defense/Walter Reed Program Nigeria, in collaboration with the United States Military HIV Research Program/Walter Reed Army Institute of Research and the Joint West Africa Research Group, is expected to train the selected health care professionals from Nigeria, Liberia, and Ghana.
The US Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission, Maria Brewer, while delivering a keynote at the beginning of the programme stated that the United States ‘is deeply committed to working with the Nigerian people and the government, saying the aspect of health is critical hence the need for an urgent intervention. ‘’One of the areas in which we continue to work very closely together is improving the health of the Nigerian people’’, she stated.
‘Today, the United States and Nigeria work side-by-side increasing Nigerians access to HIV/AIDS and malaria testing and treatment, improving the quality of family planning and reproductive health services, and expanding access to immunization for children and women’’, she added.
She pointed out that for 12 years, the U.S. Department of Defense and the Nigerian Ministry of Defense have worked together to enhance HIV prevention, care, and treatment, explaining that the partnership has not only endured, but it has also grown into a model for the way ‘’our militaries can work together effectively’’.
‘’The work this partnership does—fighting the spread of infectious diseases throughout Nigeria—is as important today as it was 12 years ago. It is my honor to be here today to congratulate you on your many accomplishments and wish you well as you begin another 12 years of work’’.
The Joint West Africa Research Group is a collaboration of more than 14 members that leverage existing research capacity and coordinate with host nation militaries and in-country partners for health security.