UNMC disease training center resolution approved

Lawmakers approved a resolution March 26 recommending that an infectious disease training center be established in Nebraska.

LR41, introduced by the Health and Human Services Committee, urges Nebraska’s congressional delegation to support efforts in Congress to establish an infectious disease training center at the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) in Omaha.

The medical center is home to the Nebraska Biocontainment Patient Care Unit, which treated Ebola patients during the 2014 outbreak of the disease. Built in 2005, the unit is one of only three facilities in the nation designed to care for patients who have contracted the most highly contagious diseases.

Lincoln Sen. Kathy Campbell, chairperson of the committee, said she introduced the resolution, in part, to coincide with the 10th anniversary celebration of the biocontainment unit. The unit is recognized worldwide for its work treating Ebola patients, she said.

“This is a great opportunity to recognize what a wonderful resource we have,” Campbell said.

Omaha Sen. Jeremy Nordquist supported the resolution. Following the Ebola outbreak, he said, UNMC began fulfilling requests from other medical institutions to train staff for future infectious incidents. Congressional support would give UNMC an opportunity to expand its role as a leader in training health care professionals, he said.

“This is a national treasure,” Nordquist said. “UNMC has responded to a global crisis just as Nebraskans would be expected to do.”

Senators adopted LR41 on a 31-0 vote.