Collaborative Research Training Centre for Neglected Tropical Disease has hosted two-day training for its 40 data collectors at College of Medicine and Health Sciences premises on 5th and 6th November, 2018, for 4th round of Independent Monitoring of Mass Drug Administration to be carried out in four regions - Amhara, Oromia, Benishangul-Gumz and Gambella.Click here to see the pictures

The key trainer, who is Program Advisor from Schistosomiasis Control Initiative (SCI), London while training data collectors, said, it’s very important training as part of Schistosomiasis and Soil Transmitted Helminthes disease program run by Ministry of Health in collaboration with SCI and US-based Evidence Action. Each year, 15-Million children across Ethiopia are treated and to support program, designated process and procedure are followed, hence, trained individuals go into field and check the accuracy of the process.

Apart from basic training this year, she adds, we are building capacity of experienced data collectors so that next year they can be trainer themselves. Last year, data collected via mobile phones was very fast; we are also training fresher to use mobile to collect data and support them for further analysis as well.

On specific assignment, she said, I am apprising trainees about Schistosomiasis and STH Program that familiarize them with these diseases; then we cover exactly what happens when a health extension worker goes to get drug. Thereafter, we know we have gone through step by step what extension workers should do and correct the procedure, then data collectors go and observe training and make sure every single step is followed; if no, then we get the feedback.

Elaborating further, she said this is one of the components of larger program; my organization gets funding from England and larger US donors to support this program. We work directly with Ministry of Health on five strategic areas of program such as leadership, training drug distribution and procurement, social mobilization, monitoring and evaluation, and this two-day training fall in the last category.

On selection criteria, she says we discuss with Ministry about the region that has difficulties and scrutinize data. Especially on monitoring and evaluation, one of the very good things we have found that because of these data collectors, we could customize the information so that more and more children know about it and it was the direct impact of last year’s survey, now we know how to communicate with clientele.

Explaining present scenario, she said with regard to Schistosomiasis this year, Ethiopia approximately has 12 Millions affected and over 8 Million children are being treated; globally over 200 million people need treatment of which most of them are in Sub-Sahara Africa. For STH, this year, 15 million are being treated, but figure is higher when we look into adult and children, who aren’t in school. It’s a massive problem, wherein Ethiopia is one of the top five nations that should get attention of World Health Organization because the situation is endemic there.

On STH, she claims in an unhygienic conditions, small eggs come off children’s stool and they get into skin and disease get transmitted, therefore unless they have good access to safe water and hygiene, susceptibility will continue to wreak havoc.

Second trainer from Kenya, Kathryn Williams of Evidence Action, US, said, I am focusing on 12-step of MDA, such as gathering all materials for deworming, dose pole, registration, etc. Basically, it’s important for monitors to understand key points of the program so that when they are out in the field, checking the procedures can give us accurate response whether it’s actually being done according to plan; then, the Program and Federal Ministry know whether there are areas to be improved upon.

CRTC-NTD Training Coordinator, Mr Tsegaye Yohannes, informed that this time, 4th round of Independent Monitoring will be carried out in Amhara, Oromia, Benishangul-Gumz and Gambella; therefore, 40 data collectors are being oriented in key aspects of their job to be done in the field.

(Corporate Communication Directorate)