Agartala, Nov 12 :Amid growing global concern over Ebola outbreaks in parts of Africa, Tripura's Health Department has stepped up preparedness measures by conducting a mock drill at the state-run GB Hospital here to assess its readiness to handle any suspected case, a senior health official said on Thursday.
The exercise focused on evaluating the hospital's response mechanism, including early identification of suspected Ebola patients, immediate isolation, infection prevention and control measures, and activation of appropriate clinical management protocols.
Doctors, nurses, paramedical personnel and staff from various departments participated in the simulation exercise, which included practical demonstrations on recognising symptoms associated with the viral disease, following isolation procedures and adhering to stringent infection control guidelines.
The hospital authorities also reviewed the preparedness of emergency response systems and containment facilities to ensure that suspected cases could be handled without risking further transmission.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Shivabrata Bhattacharjee, Professor and Head of the Department of Microbiology at Agartala Government Medical College (AGMC), said the mock drill was organised to ensure that healthcare workers remained prepared to respond promptly and efficiently to any potential Ebola-related emergency.
"Preparedness and early response are crucial in dealing with highly infectious diseases," he said, emphasising the importance of timely detection, appropriate clinical management and effective containment measures.
Bhattacharjee said Ebola was associated with a significantly high fatality rate, making advance preparedness and continuous training essential for healthcare institutions.
He clarified that no Ebola case had been reported in Tripura so far but cautioned that the possibility of an infected traveller entering the state could not be completely ruled out amid increasing international movement of people.
"Although there is no reported case in the state, we cannot afford to lower our guard," he indicated, stressing the need for vigilance across healthcare facilities.
The microbiologist also referred to reports of Ebola outbreaks in parts of Africa, including the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda, and said the developments warranted precautionary measures.
Health authorities are strengthening surveillance and response mechanisms to ensure that any suspected infection is identified and contained at the earliest.
Officials said regular mock drills and training programmes would help healthcare workers remain familiar with emergency protocols and improve the state's capacity to tackle potential public health threats.
The exercise was part of the department's efforts to ensure that the healthcare system remained alert and adequately equipped to deal with emerging infectious diseases, they added.
