EVD: Rwanda conducts a Full Scale Ebola Simulation Exercise

Uganda, South Sudan and Rwanda were declared on 1st August 2018 as priority one countries based on proximity, insecurity and high population across the border. The Rwandan Ministry of Health, supported by partners, has since been developing and implementing it’s an Ebola preparedness and contingency plan to strengthen preparedness capacities for the prevention, earlier detection, response and containment of a potential case of EVD in Rwanda, in collaboration with military hospitals.

To test the readiness of the whole system, a Full Scale Simulation Exercise was conducted in the Gihundwe and Mibilizi District Hospitals and at the Kamembe airport, the higher density industrial and transport center in the North. Eleven flights a week are heading to the Rwandan capital Kigali.

The second drill was conducted at the Rubavu-Rugerero Ebola Treatment Center also located in the Western Province. Its capital, Gisenyi, is Rwanda’s biggest beach resort and border city.

The scenarios included elements such as public anxieties, community resistance, spread of rumors and intense media demands.

Operation tests covered: donning and doffing of personal protective equipment; preparation of chlorine solution; collection, labeling and triple packaging of blood samples; terminal disinfection and waste management at health care centers; vehicle disinfection; data management, analysis and interpretation; reporting; contact listing and investigation; press conferences; media releases; community negotiation and dignified burial with the participation of dedicated communities, impersonating victims and families.

The whole exercise highlighted the strengths and gaps in the national EVD preparedness plan, and progress that still needs to be made.

This FSIMEX exercise allowed the World Health Organization's Country Office to position itself once again as the leading health agent and coordinator in Rwanda.