By Zachery Onyango | Project Leader
Dear Donor,
The continuing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo is demonstrating how important infection prevention and control are in protecting communities and health workers. With the latest data showing 7,200 confirmed cases and 3,475 deaths as of 12 September, preventing additional transmission remains an urgent priority.
Development Alert continues promoting practical infection-prevention measures among rural communities, schools, public gathering points and other locations where people interact frequently.
Our preparedness activities emphasize regular hand hygiene, appropriate cleaning and disinfection, responsible management of potentially contaminated materials, early reporting of suspected illness and cooperation with health professionals.
We also recognize that infection prevention cannot be limited to hospitals. Communities need access to information and basic hygiene facilities before an emergency reaches a treatment center.
Our work therefore includes health education sessions that help families understand how infections can spread and why appropriate hygiene practices are important. We encourage schools and community institutions to maintain handwashing facilities and promote good hygiene behavior among children and adults.
We also engage transport workers and other people who move frequently between communities. Their daily interactions can make them important partners in health promotion.
Protection of healthcare workers is another critical component. Health workers are often among the first people exposed during an outbreak. Supporting awareness of appropriate infection-prevention practices helps protect both frontline personnel and the communities they serve.
The response in the DRC is also being expanded through decentralized treatment services so that patients can receive care closer to affected communities. WHO has emphasized the need for additional treatment capacity and trained personnel as the outbreak continues.
Development Alert believes prevention must begin before a person reaches a hospital.
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