President Danny Faure received the Seychelles World Health Organisation (WHO) Representative, Dr Teniin Gakuruh for a courtesy call at State House this morning.
Dr Gakuruh is based in Seychelles at the WHO Country Office and is actively working with the Department of Health in ensuring the implementation of a well-integrated approach to the international outbreak of Coronavirus (Covid-19).
The courtesy call was an opportunity for Dr Gakuruh to brief President Faure on the various efforts being implemented in line with the global outbreak of Covid-19, and how to build the capacity of the Department of Health and other agencies involved. Discussions also focussed on the county’s level of preparedness, and the shift to response mode with rapid interventions of containment and contact tracing.
Other areas of discussion between the Head of State and Dr Garukuh included how WHO can further assist Seychelles in key areas such as infection prevention, early detection measures, strengthening of surveillance methods, mobilising of resources, training, containment as well as enhancing the effectiveness of communications to keep the general population informed and internal communication measures in place between key stakeholders and partners.
Speaking to the press after the meeting, Dr Gakuruh commended Seychelles for the measures in place so far and for being one of the first countries in Africa to be able to test for Covid-19, vital in the early detection process. Dr Gakuruh also congratulated Seychelles for taking immediate action to devise its own Covid-19 Response Plan detailing a coordinated and integrated approach to dealing with the outbreak. Dr Garukuh stressed on the importance of not only heightening the level of preparedness but having the right containment measures should the virus reach Seychelles, with greater emphasis on the strengthening of surveillance and tracking measures.
Also present this morning was the Secretary of State for Department of Health, Ambassador Marie-Pierre Llyod.
Editor’s Note:
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