Download Infection Control Programme

Infection Control Programme Infection Control is a key performance area for the Epidemic and Pandemic Alert and Response department (EPR). The objectives and goals of EPR cannot be met in the face of an unsuccessful infection control programme. It is apparent from the available evidence that African countries have not had effective and efficient infection control programmes able to deal with the continuing epidemic and pandemic outbreaks the regions countries experience. An Infection Control Programme involves control of the spread of epidemic and pandemic prone disease through ensuring the preparedness of member states for such outbreaks as well as creating capacity for member states to respond. It has become crucial to develop and implement an effective infection control programme in order to lower the regions morbidity and mortality from epidemic prone diseases and their outbreaks. Our Goals The overarching vision for the WHO/AFRO EPR Infection Control Programme is the development of a crosscutting coordinated strategy for infection control in health care; this is essential for strengthening infection prevention and control in health care for preparedness and response to outbreaks. A coordinated strategy will be a powerful tool in the promotion of prevention and control of infections and calls for the following goals to be met: •
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Strengthen national infection control policies; Endorse quality promotion of health care in a cost‐effective manner; Provide support in preventing the spread of infectious diseases through evidence‐based infection control measures; Provide support for infection control preparedness and response to public health emergencies. Strategic Actions • Review existing and identify potential infection prevention and control collaborating centres; • Form a Communicable Disease Working Group on emergencies; • Deploy logistics and Rapid Response Team members to member states during public health emergencies. • Provide guidelines on infection control policies; • Develop implementation strategies to disseminate guidance on infection control measures in health care settings • Participate in response to outbreaks with the Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network (GOARN). Challenges • Ongoing epidemic and pandemic outbreaks within the region; • Lack of capacity for programme (funding and human resources); • Lack of infrastructure‐ this contributes to the rampant spread disease and well as the inability to respond effectively and efficiently. Complimentary Programmes and Strategies There are a number of complimentary programmes existing within WHO structures that encompass epidemic and pandemic infection control, namely: • WHO Programme on Disease Control in Humanitarian Emergencies (DCE); • Millennium Declaration and the subsequent Millennium Development Goals (2000); • Communicable Disease Working Group on Emergencies (CD‐WGE); • Protocol of Cooperation for the prevention and control epidemics (1996); • International Health Regulations (2005); • The Ethekwini Declaration on hygiene and sanitation (2008); • Regional Workshop on Patient Safety, Rwanda (2007). Partners Infection Control initiatives would not be successful without support of national governments and partners. Key partners include Global Advisory Committee on Vaccine Safety, International Coordinating Group (ICG), Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network (GARN); Food and Agricultural Organisation of the United Nations (FAO). Helpful Resources or Websites • http://whqlibdoc.who.int/hq/2006/WHO_CDS_EPR_LYO_2006_3_eng.pdf • www.who.int/publications/en/ • www.who.int/topics/infection_control/en/ • www.who.int/csr/outbreaknetwork/GOARNMapenglish.pdf Contact Information Dr. Adamou Yada WHO Regional Office for Africa/DDC‐ EPR, Brazzaville, Congo Epidemic and Pandemic Alert and Response, Programme Manager Tel:
+47 241 39 100
Fax:
+47 241 39 503
Email: [email protected]