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Pacific Island Countries and Areas (PICs) represent some of the most remote and logistically challenging locations – with thousands of islands covering vast ocean territory. Since 2017, Pacific Ministries of Health have been developing EMTs, and all have worked to train team members to be deployment-ready.1
Objectives:
To describe an EMT training package specifically tailored to PIC contexts, including curated content, practical exercises, and “talanoa” discussions to improve EMT readiness, with a focus on logistics in remote and austere PIC contexts.
Method/Description:
WHO leveraged EMT training materials developed globally and regionally to continuously tailor an in-person EMT training package, emphasizing readiness for the deployment of light, mobile clinical teams for disaster-prone small island/large ocean countries. Emphasis was placed on practical learning exercises focusing on skills and competencies needed to manage complex Pacific deployments, and to care for populations on remote, difficult-to-reach islands with limited resources and referral options.
Results/Outcomes:
The Pacific EMT training program includes a mix of didactic and practical sessions coupled with a full-scale simulation exercise; it was designed with and for Pacific EMTs. The effectiveness of the training package has been evidenced through many successful national EMT deployments in several PICs, as well as through consistently positive participant feedback.
Conclusion:
Tailoring training materials to specific country contexts is essential. In the Pacific, core EMT training content with an emphasis on practical activities and simulations and “talanoa” discussions reflecting on previous deployments in remote islands has been viewed by participants as critical to preparing them for real-world deployments.
Pacific Island Countries and Areas (PICs) represent some of the most logistically challenging locations, covering vast ocean territory and remote islands. Light, mobile clinical response capability is critical in the disaster-prone Pacific. Beginning in January 2021, WHO researched, tailored, and procured EMT cache “kits” specifically for Pacific Island contexts, based on the core standards of the global EMT initiative.
Objectives:
To research, tailor, and procure cache “kits” to ensure self-sufficiency and high-quality out-patient mobile medical care for national EMTs in PICs.
Method/Description:
WHO facilitated the development of national cache kits for 10 PICs EMTs. A need for specialized equipment and supplies or “cache” for team self-reliance is critical. Through a consultative process, including Pacific EMT leadership and team members, EMT mentors, and regional partners, WHO curated and procured cache kits for 10 PICs EMTs.
Results/Outcomes:
The Pacific EMT cache kit is designed for four-to-six-person teams with the capacity to deploy for a minimum of three days, with full self-sufficiency. Because of the complex and remote access to many Pacific Islands, EMT cache must be practical for transport on small aircrafts and maritime vessels. A consultative process resulted in a curated cache list for Pacific national EMTs of over 125 items, estimated to weigh approximately 440 kilograms per kit. By the end of 2022, a total 31 kits will be delivered to EMTs in ten countries.
Conclusion:
The design, development, and procurement of Pacific EMT cache for national response operations will allow for increased speed and agility for response to disasters and public health emergencies.
Many Pacific governments have committed to establishing deployable, self-sufficient national EMTs following recent tropical cyclones, measles outbreaks, and the COVID-19 pandemic. However, for much of the COVD-19 pandemic, PICs have closed international borders limiting in-person team member training.
Objectives:
To develop a remote, interactive EMT training series to engage current and prospective EMT team members in the PICs during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Method/Description:
From July through September 2021, WHO hosted a weekly webinar series to introduce the concepts of the EMT Initiative to current and prospective EMT team members in the PICs. The sessions utilized Pacific deployment experience using faculty from EMTs in Australia, Fiji, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Tonga, and Vanuatu.
Results/Outcomes:
Attendees from over 23 countries from across the Pacific and other areas of the world participated in the 11 sessions, with a total of over 300 individual participants. The average number of participants per sessions was 85. Feedback was sought after every session. The most significant adaptation of the sessions from the feedback was incorporating the Pacific tradition of talanoa, or storytelling, into the sessions.
Conclusion:
Adapting the session plans to incorporate the talanoa style of communication in the Pacific created an environment of learning from colleagues throughout the Pacific and increased participant engagement in the virtual setting. The webinar series provided knowledge of EMT basics and increased engagement and excitement in the establishment and continued growth of EMTs in the Pacific.
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