Piloting the WHO Basic Emergency Care course in Uganda, United Republic of Tanzania and Zambia

31 December 2015

During November and December of 2015, the African Federation for Emergency Medicine (AFEM) coordinated a multi-country pilot of the WHO Basic Emergency Care (BEC) course, which prepares frontline providers to address life-threatening conditions within a limited-resource context.

WHO/N Roddie
Tanzanian BEC course facilitators, Suzie (nurse) and Juma (doctor) demonstrate infant resuscitation.

Three countries coming together

The course was piloted with great success in three sub-Saharan African nations – Uganda, United Republic of Tanzania, and Zambia – in collaboration with the Emergency Medicine Association of Tanzania and Emergency Medicine Uganda.

WHO/A Makupe
Zambian BEC course facilitators Hassan, Alex, Chipoya (doctors), and Irene (nurse) demonstrate how to safely move an injured patient.

Training for trainers

A total of 18 faculty from a range of clinical cadres–registered nurses to consultant general surgeons – were trained as trainers, and 35 BEC participants completed the pilot courses.

WHO/A Makupe
BEC course facilitators Irene (nurse) and Hassan (doctor) demonstrate airway assessment skills in Zambia.

Improving emergency care skills and knowledge

Participants reported increased confidence in all topics covered, from management of difficulty in breathing, to basic procedural skills. Facilitators and participants reviewed the course quality and clarity highly, and plans are being developed for broader course implementation.

“The knowledge you gave us, it has helped us. I would love to learn more.”
Joy, Nurse, Zambia

WHO/A Makupe
Zambian BEC course participants Maureen and Pidini (nurses) demonstrate how to stabilize a pelvic fracture.

Communities benefit from better service

“The WHO Basic Emergency Care course elevated the knowledge of both the facilitators and students. The students were inspired to help others and many students left the course ensuring us that they would give the knowledge back to their communities.”
Juma, Registrar, United Republic of Tanzania

“I am putting what you taught in practice and am seeing great response with all the patients I have been encountering. Ever since the training, I have met and handled successfully more than 50 trauma patients. Big thanks.”
Henry, Clinical Officer, Uganda

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