What does infection prevention and control (IPC) mean in the time of COVID-19? What are the IPC implications in delivering high quality essential maternal, newborn and child health services during the pandemic?
An introduction to IPC recommendations for COVID-19 in the context of MNCH services gave an overview of how to set up a safe MNCH service delivery site, screening, risk assessment, community transmission and the use of personal protective equipment (PPE). An example from Sierra Leone shared some of the challenges and practical solutions in ensuring safe continuation of quality MNCH services.
Questions from the participants spanned a wide range of topics such as the proper use of PPE, waste disposal, the link between IPC and access to water, sanitation and hygiene services, and the importance of conducting a risk assessment.
Presenters:
- Dr. April Baller, Health Emergencies IPC Pillar Lead, World Health Organization,
- Dr. Samson Arzoaquoi, IPC lead for the COVID-10 response, Ministry of Health in Liberia
Facilitators:
- Dr. Blerta Maliqi, Technical Officer in the Department for Maternal, Newborn, Child & Adolescent Health and Ageing, World Health Organization,
- Dr. Anne Detjen, Health Specialist, UNICEF
- Dr. Tedbabe Degefie Hailegebriel, Senior Adviser on Maternal and Newborn Health, UNICEF
- Dr. Pavani Ram, Senior Medical Adviser for Child Health, USAID
Stay engaged:
- Join the Community of Practice:
- Join the Child Health Task Force: www.childhealthtaskforce.org/subscribe
Additional resources (Source: WHO)
- Operational guidance on maintaining essential health services during an outbreak
- Community-based health care, including outreach and campaigns, in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic
- Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) technical guidance: Infection prevention and control / WASH
- Infection prevention and control: Evidence, guidelines and publications
- Rational use of personal protective equipment for coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and considerations during severe shortages Interim guidance
- Advice on the use of masks in the context of COVID-19
This is the first webinar in a series on ‘Delivering quality essential maternal, newborn and child health services during COVID-19’. Quality of care experts will share global guidance and country experiences around quality of care for maternal, newborn and child health in the context of COVID-19. The series is co-hosted by the Network for Improving Quality of Care for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health and the QoC subgroup of the Child Health Task Force, with the support of UNICEF and the World Health Organization.
