Representative
from little over 12 African countries grouped under the umbrella of the Infection
Control Africa Network, ICAN, have rounded up a symposium in the South West
region aimed at discussing, comparing, sharing notes and adopting best
practices that can boost the quality of healthcare delivery in Africa.
The international
gathering that was hosted by the Baptist Hospital in Mutengene, saw
representatives boost their skills on the modalities related to the Infection
Prevention and Control, IPC, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene amongst others.
The meeting in
Cameroon, it should be said, is an offshoot of a pioneer basic course that was
held in Cape Town, South Africa, in 2017 during which the Infection Control
Africa Network established an IPC WASH group.
Delegates from
different countries used the platform to present the findings and situations of
the health sectors in their countries, using the WASH FIT tool developed by the
World Health Organisation and UNICEF.
There were presentations
depicting the situations in each country and in cases of problems, suggestions
were made on how the problems can best be tackled. In situations where some
countries have worked out a succeeding scheme, their experience was shared to
countries facing a similar problem, so that it could be copied and modified and
adopted by other countries lagging in that particular aspect.
The delegates also
discussed hospital waste management, the various ways it is done, the best ways
to collect hospital waste, the different ways to segregate different waste from
health units, and ways of safely disposing the waste.
During the first
days of the workshop, priority was given to Water, Sanitation and Hygiene.
Focus here was on ways of making sure that medical personnel and patients don’t
get contaminated due to improper WASH practice. As far as WASH practices are
concerned, that of the Cameroon Baptist Convention in Cameroon stood out.
Emmanuel Kongnyuy, who presented for the Cameroon Wash Team, explained that the
CBC has engaged the production of a hand rub, which is used by all its health
personnel, and also made available in their various units and facilities.
The Baptist health
sector in Cameroon is pioneer in IPC WASH, incorporating it in their nursing
training centres, as well as incorporating its implementation in over 100
health facilities in six regions of Cameroon.
From the various
presentations on WASH, the problem of water supply was constant among the
various huddles felt by most countries in Africa. In most cases, delegates complained of inadequate water
supply which in some places is accompanied by power failures, making them to
resort to use of bore hole water, as well as generators and solar energy in
case of power outages.
Cameroon Infection Prevention and Control Association
Launched
Before the workshop
ended on Friday, February 2, the delegates launched the Infection Prevention
and Control Association of Cameroon, IPCAM.
While
commissioning the team, the Chair of ICAN, Professor Shaheen Mehtar, cautioned
that they grow the association, and adopt best practices. “Just by washing
hands and taking the necessary measures, you can save thousands of lives that
are lost every year” she told the Cameroon Infection Prevention and Control
team.
Speaking to the
press, Dr Negash Seyoum, delegate from Ethiopia lauded the workshop, saying
that they have all shared, compared notes and learned from each other, and will go ahead to apply best practices in
order to improve healthcare delivery across Africa.
Delegates at the
conference came from Cameroon, Ghana, Botswana, South Africa, Sudan, Sierra
Leone, Madagascar, and Ethiopia among others.
The conference was co-chaired by Jacob Nkwan Gobte, alongside Professor
Shaheen Mehtar, Chair of ICAN, who also works at Stellenbosch University, Cape
Town.
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