By Oluwatoyin Adegoke
The Ogun State Government has approved a comprehensive Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Manual aimed at protecting patients and front line health workers while reducing the spread of infectious diseases across health facilities in the State.
At the validation meeting in Abeokuta, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Tomi Coker, said the manual represents a major step toward strengthening healthcare delivery and ensuring that evidence-based practices become standard across public and private facilities.
Events in recent years, from the COVID-19 pandemic to recurring outbreaks of Lassa fever, Cholera, mpox, and other infectious diseases, have further reinforced the reality that robust IPC systems are not optional components of our health architecture. They are fundamental to the survival and effectiveness of the entire health sector.”
“That is why we have worked assiduously alongside our partners to develop this manual. It will serve as a uniform reference document for training, supportive supervision, and audits across public and private health facilities,” she said.
Dr Coker noted that the manual provides practical guidance on environmental hygiene, waste management, safe injection practices, standard precautions, and surveillance of healthcare-associated infections,and would also serve as a reference for training, supervision and quality assessments.
In a goodwill message, the Regional Technical Coordinator, African Field Epidemiology Network (AFENET), Dr. Patrick Nguku, commended Ogun State for prioritising safer healthcare environments, noting that the adoption of the manual demonstrated leadership and commitment to equipping health workers with clear, evidence-based instructions for infection control.
Representatives of other development partners, including the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA), Mr. Solape Folarin , representative of the World Health Organisation, Mrs. Adedayo Adenrele and Pharmacist Michael Ohue of APIN Initiatives, pledged technical support towards ensuring that the manual achieves its intended objectives.
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