First 100 medical crisis intervention volunteers are undergoing training at ITM

Caroline Gennez, Flemish Minister for Welfare and Public Health: “The coronavirus crisis has taught us that a government must not wait until a crisis breaks out before making preparations. With the Medical Reserve Unit, we ensure that additional medical expertise is quickly made available when the normal healthcare system comes under unexpected pressure. But this reserve can only exists thanks to volunteers who are prepared to take on responsibility. I would therefore like to express my sincere thanks to these hundred doctors and nurses. They voluntarily devote their time and expertise to helping others when it is needed most. Thanks to their commitment, Flanders is better equipped to cope with crises, and recent years have shown just how vital this is.”

Training on outbreaks, vaccination and personal protective equipment

During the training day at the Institute of Tropical Medicine, volunteers deepen their knowledge of infectious diseases and outbreak control: from preventive measures such as personal protective equipment and vaccination to the risks of outbreaks in Flanders and the measures that can be taken to slow down or stop outbreaks. The crisis management structures in Belgium and the specific role of the Medical Reserve Unit within those structures are also explained.

The training is delivered in collaboration with experts and training partners from, amongst others, the Institute of Tropical Medicine, the University of Antwerp and the UZA. Erika Vlieghe and Steven Van Gucht, amongst others, share their knowledge with the volunteers.

A key partner in the development of the Medical Reserve Unit is Red Cross Flanders. They are jointly responsible for preparing the volunteers and ensure that they can gain practical experience through exercises and by providing medical assistance at major events. This ensures the volunteers are prepared not only medically but also operationally to work together quickly and effectively when a crisis arises.

“Disaster preparedness is something you build up before a crisis strikes. That is why we are now establishing a medical unit with carefully selected doctors and nurses,” says Jan Poté, spokesperson for the Red Cross Flanders. “These first hundred volunteers form the foundation of an even stronger MRE.” The Red Cross in Flanders is therefore continuing to seek new doctors and nurses who are willing to volunteer their expertise when a crisis requires additional medical support.