Infection Prevention and Control (IPC), which refers to the evidence-based strategy to safeguarding patients and healthcare workers from illnesses that can be avoided, is commonly acknowledged as one of the fundamental components of a health care delivery system that is both safe and efficient. IPC procedures that are implemented in a comprehensive manner not only lessen the likelihood of hospital-acquired infections (HAIs), but they also limit the development of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), which is becoming an increasingly significant concern to the health of people all over the world.
Following the successful implementation of its first IPC National Action Plan (NAP), which was developed with the support of WHO, the Ministry of Health and Wellness (MOHW) recently initiated the development of its second NAP, an ambitious document that aims to scale up the country’s IPC activities over the next five years. This initiation took place during a workshop that was held during the last week of August 2024.
One of the positive outcomes of COVID-19 was that it contributed to the inclusion of IPC on the health agenda in Mauritius by increasing awareness about the significance of the issue among decision-makers and stakeholders. Throughout the course of the pandemic, the World Health Organization (WHO) Mauritius collaborated with the Ministry of Health and Wellness (MOHW) to strengthen the country’s infectious disease control (IPC) capabilities. This was accomplished through a variety of trainings on IPC guidelines and standards, regular IPC assessments of the country’s regional hospitals and key health facilities, and the financing of the supply of personal protective equipment, washbasins, medical elbow taps, and, most recently, the refurbishment or construction of isolation wards at Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam National Hospital, Dr. AG Jeetoo Hospital, Victoria Hospital, and Jawaharlal Nehru Hospital.
An infectious disease expert and focal point for the IPC, Dr. Dooshanveer Nuckchady, emphasizes that the scope of the second National Action Plan (NAP) will be more expensive than the scope of the first NAP. At the beginning of 2024, we were able to successfully finish two thirds of the first National Action Plan (NAP) on the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Now that we have reached this point, we want to keep rolling ahead with the same velocity. As a result of the circumstances, the last National Action Plan (NAP) was shorter (two years) and somewhat focused on COVID; this time, we want to achieve something that is more strong and comprehensive.
Under the direction of the World Health Organization (WHO), an evaluation was carried out in 2022 and 2023 to track the development of the implementation of the national guidelines on IPC. It was determined that three of the five regional hospitals had achieved an Intermediate Level of IPC implementation, and it was also seen that there was significant progress made in IPC training. On the other hand, in order to improve knowledge management and transmission, it is necessary to take into consideration novel training techniques, as well as refresher and bedside training sessions. An evaluation of IPC practices that was carried out in Rodrigues for the year 2023 indicated that there were considerable improvements in a number of different areas of IPC in comparison to the previous year. There is a significant burden on the health of nations all over the globe that is caused by HAIs. It is estimated that the worldwide rate of HAIs for nations with low and moderate incomes is fifteen percent. From 1993 to 2018, the incidence of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) and surgical site infections (SSIs) in Mauritius grew from 4.9 and 8.2 per 100 patients, respectively, to 18 and 17 per 100 patients. Patients who suffered from HAIs and SSIs had a death rate that was about four times greater than the mortality rate of patients who did not suffer from these different types of illnesses.
We have a strong desire to lessen the number of cases of these kinds of illnesses as well as their overall prevalence. First things first, we need to find out how many infections are taking place, as well as where they are taking place and why they are taking place. According to Dr. Nuckchady, once we have this information, we will be able to implement multimodal methods, bundles of care, and training sessions for individuals, as well as the acquisition of the appropriate equipment and the establishment of the required infrastructure.
Additionally, HAIs lead to longer hospital admissions, disability that last for a long period of time, increased rates of antimicrobial resistance, and significant cost burdens for patients and health systems. A strategy that is based on evidence and is supported by increased surveillance and monitoring is the method that the authorities are choosing to use in order to successfully address the concerns.
The WHO expert who supervised the session, Professor Babacar Ndoye, is in agreement that the IPC procedures have been in place for a considerable amount of time. The things that I have seen in Mauritius have left me with a positive impression, particularly with regard to the training and the distribution of resources. There has been a significant increase in knowledge of infectious diseases all around the world as a result of a number of pandemics, notably COVID-19.
Tina Soobhug is an IPC nurse at Jawaharlal Nehru Hospital in Rose-Belle. As part of her duties, she is responsible for supervising the nursing staff to ensure that they are complying to the criteria established by the World Health Organization (WHO) on IPC. She has seen that people’s perspectives about IPC have been gradually shifting ever since the first National Action Plan was put into effect. Even though there is still some resistance, behaviors are changing, she says. However, in order to accomplish this, continuous on-the-job training and awareness raising are required, which is something that the second National Action Plan will concentrate on. In addition, the infrastructure of hospitals needs to be renovated to comply with IPC guidelines.
Work on the International Criminal Court (IPC) continues even while this second National Action Plan is being produced. To ensure that the health workforce is increasingly equipped to implement IPC guidelines as well as the forthcoming action plan, for instance, the World Health Organization (WHO) Mauritius and the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) conducted a training during the month of September 2024 that lasted for a week and focused on sterilization practices and the organization of Central Sterile Services Departments. As a result of a comprehensive evaluation of sterilization procedures in Mauritius that was carried out in July by a WHO specialist, this training was carried out.
During the commencement of the IPC NAP workshop, the Women’s Representative, Dr. Anne Ancia, brought attention to the fact that IPC is a crucial pre-requisite for delivering excellent health care. In order to preserve the health of both patients and those who work in the medical field, Mauritius is putting in place the appropriate conditions to prevent and control infections, as well as to protect the health of those who work in the medical field.
