Strengthening Public Health: Empowering Surveillance Officers for Mpox and HIV Integration Across Nigeria

AN EPIC SUCCESS STORY

In an ongoing effort to enhance public health surveillance and response, We conducted the step-down training workshop was recently conducted across nine Mpox-endemic states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Nigeria. This initiative follows the successful Training of Trainers (TOT) workshop aimed at building capacity among surveillance officers and healthcare workers on the integration of Mpox and HIV case surveillance.

Empowering Public Health Workers

A total of 916 participants, including Disease Surveillance and Notification Officers (DSNOs), assistant DSNOs, laboratory focal persons, and healthcare workers from various states, underwent a two-day intensive training. The participants were equipped with both theoretical knowledge and practical skills to improve Mpox and HIV services integration. Notably, the training methods incorporated didactic learning and practical sessions using PowerPoint presentations, group exercises, and hands-on sessions for a well-rounded learning experience.

The first day of the workshop focused on theoretical sessions covering Mpox surveillance, sample collection, and management techniques. The second day emphasized HIV Testing Services (HTS) using the serial testing algorithm, and participants took part in practical demonstrations of HIV rapid tests. This hands-on approach ensured that participants could confidently apply their knowledge in real-world scenarios.

Key Highlights Among the notable achievements of the training:

Inclusive Participation: Of the 916 trained, 408 were male and 508 females, with participants from a wide age range, enhancing a diverse knowledge base.
Leveraging Local Expertise: In Ogun State, the presence of DSNOs with nursing backgrounds provided a unique advantage. Their clinical expertise fostered a deeper understanding of the Mpox/HIV integration process.
Risk Communication & Stigma Reduction: Participants were trained on effective risk communication strategies, crucial for public health messaging. They also gained skills in addressing stigma, a critical barrier to accessing healthcare services.

A Focus on Data Quality and System Integration The training served as a platform to identify pathways for improving the quality of data related to Mpox cases and HIV services. Enhanced surveillance techniques and ART (Antiretroviral Therapy) referrals for People Living with HIV (PLHIV) were key outcomes of the workshop.

Next Steps The initiative will move forward with several action points, including:

Distribution of Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) materials across the nine states and FCT.
Establishment of a Community of Practice (CoP) to foster continuous knowledge sharing among healthcare professionals and public health officials.
An improved reporting system to monitor both Mpox and HIV surveillance outcomes.

As the integration of Mpox and HIV surveillance continues to yield positive results, the next logical step is to extend this training to the remaining 27 states in Nigeria. By doing so, the public health community can work together to strengthen surveillance efforts, ultimately leading to better health outcomes for all.

This collaborative effort, supported by USAID, is setting the foundation for a robust public health response capable of addressing current and future epidemics.