An online course for Rapid Response Teams (RRTs) in India launched on 30 June 2021 has become immensely popular amongst frontline emergency responders in India and the region.As of 15 September 2021, there were 3 063 registered users to the course from 111 countries, including India. Close to 51% learners are from India, and the rest are from China, Indonesia, United States, Philippines, Vietnam, Saudi Arabia and Mexico.
This OpenWHO interactive, web-based knowledge-transfer platform enables WHO and its key partners to share critical knowledge to strengthen response to disease outbreaks and manage health emergencies.
“In the context of the current pandemic and the need to build capacity for a surge response, a multidisciplinary public health strategy is required. RRTs are a key component of a larger emergency response strategy that is essential for an efficient
and effective response,” said Dr Roderico H. Ofrin, WHO Representative to India.
WHO has produced and published this course for RRTs working at the national, sub-national, district and sub-district levels to strengthen the pandemic response with support from the National Centre for Disease Control, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The 90-minute condensed learning package comprises five modules comprising core elements such as capacity building; case finding and contact tracing; management of data and laboratories; infection
prevention and control; as well as risk communication and community engagement. The capacity building of RRTs across the country is crucial in a rapidly evolving situation. Digital learning packages provide faster way of transferring knowledge
and skills needed to detect, respond and effectively mitigate the COVID-19 pandemic. The WHO platform aims to reach out to large workforce spread across hard-to-reach areas and strengthen on-the-ground response to this ongoing pandemic.
“I found this course very useful in building my capacity in responding to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. This course is very both informative and user friendly,” says Mr Ajay Dogra, Technical Officer-Emergency Management based in New Delhi, India and one of the registered users to the course.
The course offers a Record of Achievement certificate to participants who score 80% or more across all quizzes. As of 15 September 2021, 1 070 participants with a Record of Achievement have received the downloadable Open Badge for this course.
This course is also published on the Swasth eGurukul, WHO India’s exclusive eLearning platform to widen reach and advocacy.