adminGovernment was committed to meeting international standards in curbing disease transmission between patients and staff.
“Despite economic challenges, Government remains committed to ensuring that infection prevention and control practice is strengthened in all health facilities.
“We are aware of the risk of transmission of infectious agents within health care facilities commonly referred to as hospital acquired infections,” said Dr Gwinji.
The US$4 million initiative is set to run for the next five years and the delivery consisted of light weight aprons, heavy duty aprons, face masks with visors, (N95) respirators and hand sanitisers.
On site support training, fit testing and other mentoring activities would be conducted to maximise the potential of the protective personal equipment.
The donated protective clothing would be distributed to 20 central, provincial, district and mission hospitals.
CDC in Zimbabwe director Dr Peter Kilmarx said healthcare workers in low income countries are at high risk of contracting tuberculosis,hepatitis B and C, influenza and HIV and universal precautions ought to be taken to prevent transmission of these communicable diseases.
“Transmission of infectious diseases in health care settings is a major global public health problem.
“ According to WHO, health care-associated infections represent the most frequent adverse events during health care delivery,” said Dr Kilmarx.
He said that hundreds of millions globally were affected annually resulting in prolonged hospital stays, long term disability and increased resistance to anti-microbials.
“Health care workers are also at risk of infection due to injury from contaminated needles, the annual global count includes an estimated 16 000 cases of hepatitis C, 66 000 cases of hepatitis B and 1 000 cases of HIV infection,” he said.
Harare Central Hospital acting chief executive officer Dr Tapiwanashe Bwakura remarked that the gesture was not a reaction to any medical crisis but was just to consolidate already existing measures towards infection transmission and prevention.
“This is a welcome initiative that supports our existing efforts in infection prevention. This enables us to ensure that we create a safe environment for both the patient and members of our staff,” Dr Bwakura said.
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