Favour Ozioma Ogbodo
Africa Union’s Centres for Disease and Control Prevention (AfricaCDC) has convened a three-day technical consultative dynamic meeting focusing on Healthcare Associated Infections (HAIs) surveillance in Africa.
This is aimed at reducing the number of infections contracted in the process of treatment in health facilities, the organisation said in a post on X on Sunday.
In bid to combat these infections, Africa Union CDC held a meeting from November 9th to 11th, with diverse professional public experts on Infectious diseases and microbiology in attendance to review HAIs, adaption and bolstering HAIS surveillance in Africa.
According to the national library of medicine, Healthcare-Associated Infections, commonly referred to as HAIs, border around wide range of infections that a patients can acquire while receiving medical care.
These infections can pose a significant threat to patients’ well-being, adding to the overall burden on healthcare systems. The importance of comprehensive surveillance, including accurate definitions and criteria, cannot be overstated.
It is expected that the meeting will produce a framework that will help to harmonise HAIs across the globe. According to AfricaCDC, adapting international standards to the unique circumstances of the continent and precise data collection reflective of the healthcare settings in Africa will enable healthcare authorities to make informed decisions and implement targeted interventions.
It also said the commitment of African health experts to enhancing Healthcare-Associated Infection surveillance reflects the dedication to improving healthcare services and safeguarding the health of the continent’s people.
“With the lessons and strategies developed during this meeting, Africa is better prepared to mitigate the impact of HAIs and protect the health and well-being of its population,” it added.
