Infection prevention and control (IPC) are at the heart of infectious disease control. Whether it is preparation for the unlikely event of an imported case of Ebola, or controlling outbreaks of diarrhoeal diseases, well-understood and implemented IPC procedures significantly reduce disease in both patients and healthcare workers.
Pacific focuses on preparedness
On 8 August 2014, the Director-General of WHO declared the Ebola outbreak in West Africa a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. WHO has called on all countries, including Pacific island countries and areas, to enhance their capacities to respond to Ebola, in the unlikely event that the virus is imported into the Pacific. Although the risk of Ebola spreading to the Pacific region remains low, the consequences and impact could be severe.
In order to ensure the Pacific is ready to respond to various outbreaks – including but not limited to Ebola - WHO together with the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) and the Pacific Island Health Officers Association conducted a three day workshop on IPC.
During the training, participants:
- gained a solid understanding of the principles and practice of standard and transmission-based precautions during clinical care, patient transport and environmental decontamination, when handling clinical specimens and for safe burials;
- got hands-on experience in donning and removing personal protective equipment safely;
- developed a clear understanding of the organisation and set up of an isolation room;
- learned to assess and manage possible exposures to Ebola virus and in communicating the results; and
- developed skills, knowledge and tools to conduct EVD IPC trainings upon return to their home country.
The 34 participants from 16 PICTs made very positive comments about the training such as “the training was excellent”; “it was a perfect mixture of theory and practical…”and “the training...has provided me with all the information I need to prepare my ministry to deal with Ebola.”
Participants also felt that they were ready to apply their new skills to deliver training to other health workers back home. One participant said “all aspects of the training will be used … for the preparedness of the Ebola response back in my country.”
Multiple benefits of IPC training
Infection prevention and control is not only necessary in the unlikely event of an Ebola case, but it is also helpful in meeting core capacities under the International Health Regulations - a legal instrument to help the international community prevent and respond to acute public health risks including pandemics and other serious disease outbreaks.