The International Organization for Migration (IOM), in partnership with Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Health and Sanitation’s National Infection Prevention Unit hosted this graduation.

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) provided $3 million dollars in support of this initiative. During the Ebola Outbreak, USAID supported IOM to implement IPC measures by delivering emergency trainings across the country reaching over 11,000 medical practitioners. In this second phase, the focus was the establishment of IPC courses at the university level with the goal of institutionalizing IPC standards and practices in Sierra Leone.

These trainers have gone through rigorous training conducted by Infection Control Africa Network (ICAN). They will now reach thousands of students by conducting short one-to-two week IPC courses to ensure that all future healthcare professionals receive training before they embark on their practical experience.

According to Barbara Dickerson, USAID Mission Director, “The Government of the United States of America remains committed to ensuring the people of Sierra Leone have the ability to protect themselves from Ebola and other diseases that can be prevented through safety measures such as IPC”.

This project contributes to the overall goal of the Government of Sierra Leone’s health system strengthening plan to maintain zero Ebola cases; and to prevent, detect and respond to epidemics. The initial beneficiaries will also include non-medical students, who will use these skills to protect themselves, their families and their communities.