A call for strict adherence to preventive measures to prevent the contamination and spread of Ebola has been made to healthcare facilities in Kisangani, a city in the northeastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The appeal was made by Professor Alain Okito, a microbiology expert, in an interview with the Congolese press agency. He emphasized the need for healthcare facilities to ensure that anyone entering the hospital or its premises undergoes temperature checks and mandatory hand washing.
According to Professor Okito, anyone refusing to undergo temperature checks and hand washing should be denied access to hospital facilities. He also suggested that healthcare facilities with sufficient resources could use rapid diagnostic tests, particularly for healthcare workers. The expert stressed the importance of healthcare workers changing their gloves after treating each patient to avoid the risk of transmission from one patient to another.
Professor Okito recommended that healthcare workers change their gloves for each patient, emphasizing that "one patient equals one glove." He also advised against reusing gloves after touching a person suspected of being contaminated with Ebola, as this poses a risk of contamination to other patients. Furthermore, he recommended regular changes of masks worn by healthcare workers, at least two to three times during a service day.
The microbiology expert also prohibited healthcare workers from taking hospital equipment, such as blouses and shoes, home, as this contributes to the spread of the epidemic. He emphasized that when all these measures are correctly applied, hospitals and healthcare facilities will no longer be places where Ebola spreads, and transmission will decrease. He also called on healthcare workers to systematically disinfect instruments used during consultations before using them on another patient.
This situation arises after eight members of the staff of a private hospital in Kisangani, including two doctors, were contaminated, with one doctor succumbing to the disease, according to provincial health authorities. The incident highlights the need for healthcare facilities to enforce strict preventive measures to curb the spread of Ebola.
Professor Okito's appeal is a timely reminder of the importance of adhering to preventive measures to prevent the spread of Ebola. His recommendations are aimed at protecting patients and healthcare workers from the risk of contamination. By enforcing these measures, healthcare facilities can play a critical role in reducing the transmission of Ebola.
The Congolese health authorities have a critical role to play in ensuring that healthcare facilities adhere to these preventive measures. The authorities must provide support and resources to healthcare facilities to enable them to effectively implement these measures and prevent the spread of Ebola. The situation in Kisangani highlights the need for continued vigilance and cooperation between healthcare facilities, health authorities, and the community to combat the Ebola outbreak.
Key points
- Healthcare facilities in Kisangani are urged to enforce strict preventive measures to curb the spread of Ebola.
- Professor Alain Okito emphasizes the need for healthcare workers to change gloves after treating each patient.
- The incident highlights the need for healthcare facilities to enforce strict preventive measures to curb the spread of Ebola.
