Training in Infection Prevention and Control transforms health workers' practices
Working with partners to improve waste management in health facilities.
Tombo, Sierra Leone - Zenobia Kalokoh, a nurse at the Tombo Community Health Centre has just finished administering vaccines to children. She carefully drops the last piece of cotton wool in the waste bin, and heads to a sink to wash her hands.
In the early days of Zenobia’s career, she faced the challenge of managing infectious and other medical wastes, including immunization wastes with limited resources and outdated practices at the health facility. They used to burn contaminated needles, bandages, and biohazard materials in open fires or bury them in pits. This was not safe for the environment, health workers, or the community they serve.
Now, things have changed. With thanks to funding from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), UNICEF has supported the training of 1,567 health workers, one from each health facility, across the country in improved waste management practices through the “Preventing and Responding to COVID-19 in Sierra Leone" project. Health workers at the Tombo CHC and other health centers in Sierra Leone have also learned new things. They now have the knowledge and skills to properly manage infectious and other medical wastes generated at the health facility.
The training sessions, conducted by experienced professionals, delved into the intricacies of infection prevention and control. Health workers were equipped with the latest techniques to minimize the spread of infections within the facility.
"As a nurse, the power to heal extends beyond medicine; it lies in our commitment to learning and evolving,” says Zenobia. “Training in infection prevention and waste management has not only improved the way I work but also the impact I have on the health and well-being of those in my care. Every action contributes to a safer and healthier environment for all," she adds, as she recalls the eye-opening moment when she learned about the importance of hand hygiene and the proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE).
The training has helped staff at the centre to introduce modern waste disposal systems, ensuring the safe and environmentally friendly disposal of medical waste. Zenobia vividly remembers the introduction of color-coded bins and the meticulous segregation of waste. This has not only reduced the risk of infections but also contributed to a cleaner and healthier environment for both health workers and the community.
"Empowering health workers with knowledge in infection prevention and waste management is not just a step forward; it's a giant leap toward building resilient and sustainable healthcare systems,” says Vandana Joshi, UNICEF Chief of Health and Nutrition. “Through training, we are witnessing the transformation of health workers into guardians of public health, ensuring safer practices and a healthier future for the communities they serve."
The impact of the training extended beyond the health workers to the community at large. Zenobia is using her knowledge to educate parents and caregivers about the importance of hygiene and waste management. Health education sessions are held at the health centre, covering topics from handwashing to the proper disposal of waste.
In addition to training, the USAID support provided personal protective equipment (PPE) to ensure the safety of medical waste handlers whilst implementing infection prevention measures. Also, ten (10) incinerators were constructed in selected health facilities in two districts (5 in Bombali and 5 Bo districts). As a result, health workers at the Tombo CHC are effectively preventing healthcare-associated infections in health facilities. Patients now enter a safer and more sanitized environment, knowing that their well-being is a top priority.
Having good waste disposal facilities helps a lot, especially in a place like Tombo CHC, where more than 30,000 people access health services. As Zenobia completes her round of vaccinations for the day, she reflects on the change that has taken place in their practices at the health centre, noting that it will help them leave a legacy of improved infection prevention and control and waste management practices that will benefit the community for generations to come.
