Building EECC Capacity in Mauritania

A new partnership between EECC Global Mauritania and Medipole Polyclinic is helping lay the foundations for safer, more effective care of critically ill patients in Mauritania.

On 7th June 2026, clinicians gathered at Medipole Polyclinic in Nouakchott for the first phase of a new Essential Emergency and Critical Care (EECC) training programme. The event served as a Training of Trainers (ToT), preparing local healthcare professionals to support the delivery and expansion of EECC training in the months ahead.

The workshop was led by Bouya Ahmed Mohamed Lekhlifa, Ahmedou Ennahoui, and Fatimetou Ahmed, bringing together a multidisciplinary group of doctors from across the Mauritanian health system. Participants included specialists in anaesthesia and critical care, general doctors, and a radiology resident, representing institutions such as the National Hospital of Cardiology, Friendship Hospital, and Medipole Clinic.

• About EECC

  EECC focuses on ensuring that every critically ill patient receives the essential care needed to identify and treat life threatening conditions early. Rather than relying on expensive equipment or highly specialised units, EECC emphasises the timely delivery of basic, evidence based actions such as monitoring vital signs, providing oxygen therapy, administering fluids when appropriate, and ensuring patients are reviewed and reassessed regularly.

  For many hospitals around the world, these simple actions can make the difference between life and death.

The Mauritania training forms part of a broader collaboration between EECC Global Mauritania and Medipole Polyclinic to strengthen the recognition and management of critical illness. While this first phase focused on doctors, the programme is designed to expand progressively to nurses, health technicians, and other healthcare professionals, helping to build a shared approach to caring for critically ill patients across the facility.

The enthusiasm from participants reflected both the relevance of the training and the growing interest in EECC across the country. Feedback from attendees was overwhelmingly positive, with participants highlighting the importance of the approach and expressing a strong desire to see EECC implemented more widely throughout Mauritania's hospitals.

One participant suggested future simulations could make greater use of mannequins and real clinical equipment, while others described the training as "very important" and encouraged the team to continue expanding the programme.

Dr Ahmedou Ennahoui and Dr Cheikh Brahim Adda

As EECC continues to grow internationally, initiatives such as this demonstrate how local leadership and collaboration can help bring essential, life saving care to more patients. The Medipole partnership marks an important step for the Mauritania EECC Hub and contributes to the wider movement to ensure that critically ill patients receive the care they need, wherever they are treated.