This archive report was first published on 16 July 2020.
On July 13, 2020, Kenya lost its first doctor to Covid-19, Dr. Doreen Adisa Lugaliki. PHOTO | JARED NYATAYA
As the country grapples with the deadly pandemic, the Ministry of Health has announced a raft of measures to minimize the transmission of Covid-19 to healthcare workers.
According to Health CAS Dr. Rashid Aman, coronavirus infection for healthcare workers mostly happens at work, putting them at high risk.
Dr. Aman attributed the transmission of the disease among health workers to overcrowding, lack of established practices of infection control, and poor implementation of infection prevention control guidelines.
He also pointed out inadequate training in infection prevention and control measures for both frontline workers, staff, and support staff in health facilities as a contributing factor.
“When health workers are at risk, we are all at risk. In the context of the rapidly evolving Covid-19 pandemic, occupational health and safety systems are critical,” Dr. Aman said.
Some of the guidelines include isolating patients with suspected Covid-19 infection, encouraging healthcare workers to have a high level of clinical suspicion, and establishing a well-equipped triage station at the entrance of every healthcare facility.
Additionally, healthcare facilities will need to apply standard precautions for all patients at all times, including hand hygiene, the use of personal protective equipment, and safe waste management.
Dr. Aman emphasized the importance of administrative control and policies for the prevention and control of transmission of Covid-19 infections within the healthcare facility.
