Enhancing Infection Prevention and Control in South Sudan Laboratories

Strategic Insights -

The World Health Organization (WHO), in collaboration with the South Sudan Ministry of Health, has trained over 50 health workers in Juba on infection prevention and control practices in laboratories, with the aim of reducing the risk of COVID-19 infection and other infectious diseases. The training, funded by the European Union (EU), emphasized universal precautions, safe handling, segregation, disinfection, and disposal of infectious and hazardous laboratory waste, as well as the current WHO IPC guidelines for managing COVID-19 samples in the laboratory. The training was deemed crucial due to the increasing number of personnel and samples to be tested in the National Public Health Laboratory, which raises the transmission risk level. The training also aimed to equip health workers with the necessary knowledge and skills to handle COVID-19 samples as potentially infectious.

Key Takeaways:

  • Over 50 health workers in Juba have been trained on infection prevention and control practices in laboratories to reduce the risk of COVID-19 infection and other infectious diseases.
  • The training, funded by the European Union (EU), emphasized universal precautions, safe handling, segregation, disinfection, and disposal of infectious and hazardous laboratory waste.
  • The trainees were oriented on the current WHO IPC guidelines for managing COVID-19 samples in the laboratory.
  • Participants conducted a desk review to identify gaps and develop action plans to improve IPC practices in their respective laboratories.
  • Since the COVID-19 outbreak was declared in South Sudan, surge laboratory personnel have been engaged to support the additional testing needs in the National Public Health Laboratory.
  • The transmission risk level increases with the number of personnel and samples to be tested.
  • Training of health workers on IPC and providing the required personal protective equipment and administrative controls are critical for mitigating the risk of infection in health facility and laboratory settings.
  • Since the beginning of the outbreak, 118 health workers have been infected in South Sudan.
  • FOR Mr Abe Gordon Abias, Laboratory Scientist and Epidemiologist at the National Public Health Laboratory, Ministry of Health, "COVID-19 is a new disease and there are newly emerging facts", and "Therefore, laboratories should adhere to the guidance provided by WHO and CDC".
  • According to Dr Olushayo Olu, WHO Representative for South Sudan, "COVID-19 samples collected for laboratory investigation should be handled as potentially infectious", and "Hence enhancing the knowledge of health workers who collect, or transport and test COVID-19 samples will minimize the possibility of exposure".

Statistics:

  • Over 50 health workers have been trained in Juba.
  • 118 health workers have been infected in South Sudan since the beginning of the outbreak.
  • The training emphasized the importance of adhering to WHO and CDC guidance on IPC practices.
  • The National Public Health Laboratory has engaged surge laboratory personnel to support the additional testing needs.
  • The transmission risk level increases with the number of personnel and samples to be tested.

Sources:

  • Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Health Organization (WHO).
  • European Union (EU) funding supported the training.
  • World Health Organization (WHO) Representative for South Sudan: Dr Olushayo Olu.
  • Laboratory Scientist and Epidemiologist at the National Public Health Laboratory, Ministry of Health: Mr Abe Gordon Abias.