Coordinator/supervisor
A nurse or doctor experienced in cholera management, in charge of the overall operation of the CTC, training, staff information and management, safety of staff and patients.
Present every day (either physically or on telephone standby).
Depending on the size of the CTC and other factors, an assistant (e.g. a healthcare supervisor) may be necessary. Someone should be designated and trained to replace him/her in the event of absence (accident, illness, etc.).
Nurses
Responsible for nursing care and the supervision of patients, management of their unit’s pharmacy, implementation of hygiene measures in their unit, training and management of auxiliary nurses.
Day and night: one nurse for triage, one nurse per 10-15 patients in the IV treatment units, one nurse per 20 patients in oral treatment units.
Note: in a small decentralised CTU, a nurse may fill the role of the doctor or coordinator.
Auxiliary nurses or medical ward helpers
Responsible for the hygiene and comfort of patients, preparation and distribution of ORS in their unit.
Day and night: one auxiliary nurse per nurse.
Doctors
Responsible for admissions and discharges, the treatment and supervision of patients (application of protocols), training and management of medical staff, management of complicated cases.
Day: one doctor per 100 beds; one doctor for triage, however triage may be entrusted to a welltrained nurse.
Night: one on-duty doctor for the entire CTC.
Pharmacy manager
A pharmacist or nurse responsible for the stock and supply of the CTC as well as possible dependant peripheral facilities, like ORPs (day post).
Cleaners
Staff responsible for cleaning (clean and contaminated zones), managing patient buckets and the collection and transport of waste to the waste treatment area.
Stretcher bearers
Staff responsible for transporting patients incapable of moving alone.
Day and night: at least 2 stretcher bearers.
Health promoters
Staff responsible for promoting hygiene in the CTC and in homes, information and demonstrations on how to prepare ORS to continue treatment at home. Health promoters are not essential if another category of staff covers this work (e.g. auxiliary nurses or nurses). If the latter do not have time to give patients all the instructions they need, it is better to train health promoters.