Turkmen specialists took part in the WHO VR training on sanitary inspection of ships
The new digital solution was tested for the first time by the participants of the 4- day training in Istanbul. The virtual reality tool will further improve public health capacity in ports and on ships.
The COVID-19 pandemic has had an unprecedented impact on the maritime sector, proving the vital importance of maintaining public health capacity in ports and on ships. Due to restrictions on international travel, including port closures, access to ports where ships were inspected and sanitary certificates were issued was severely restricted. As ports have resumed operations, the need for trained port health officers has been identified as a priority for many countries.
To meet this need, WHO/Europe organized a comprehensive 4-day training in Istanbul, Turkey, for a group of 13 specialists from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan representing port health workers and national International health regulations.
As part of this training, participants tested a new virtual reality (VR) tool developed by WHO and presented for the first time. When the VR tool is fully launched, it will raise the standards of training in the field of sanitary inspection of ships. This tool will benefit more than 230 ports in the WHO European Region that have public health capacity to manage public health events, as well as 41 IHR member States whose ports are authorized to issue ship health certificates.
The project allows users to interact and get acquainted with realistic representations of the technical areas of the ship to ensure a thorough sanitary inspection. During these inspections, port health officers can identify and record all evidence of contamination or infection and other human health risks in various areas, facilities or systems on the ship, as well as any necessary control measures
that should be applied to control public health risks on the ship. ships and potential distribution through ports.
VR simulations give listeners a realistic experience. With the help of special headsets and hand controllers, they can pass through the ship in virtual reality, which gives the additional advantage of remote training of port inspectors and other specialists working in ports. The simulation helps them learn how to conduct a comprehensive end-to-end sanitary inspection of the entire ship, including conducting risk assessment work and how to interact with the captain and crew.
Interns are introduced to the basic steps that need to be taken before starting inspections and learn about the necessary follow-up actions through interactive animations. The virtual reality experience allows users to explore every part of the ship, from engine rooms to cabins, dining areas and changing rooms. This virtual journey through the corridors and decks of the ship, offering more than 20 carefully recreated visiting areas, allows trainees to feel fully present.
The four-day training in Istanbul was part of a series of capacity-building activities at airports, ports and land transport hubs supported by WHO/Europe and aimed at improving the state of borders in the region. It was organized with the support of the authorities of the General Directorate of Health at the Borders and Coasts of Turkey, which organized training and facilitated access to all training facilities, including the cruise ship at Galata Port in Istanbul. The program combined VR simulations, training events and visits to ships and ports. These additional events also provided participants with an important opportunity to share their experiences between Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan, as well as with colleagues from the General Directorate of Health at the Borders and Coasts of Turkey.
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