Francistown, Botswana - 4 December 2020: The Ministry of Health and Wellness (MOHW) in partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO) conducted an eight-day training of trainers (TOTs) workshop in Francistown on Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) which targeted all the District Health Management Teams (DHMTs) across the country. The training was supported through the European Union Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid. The aim of the workshop was to prepare a team of Trainers to support the implementation of IPC practices. WHO and Ministry of Health experts facilitated the training and provided guidance on the implementation on the IPC strategy.

Speaking in an interview, the Acting Deputy Director of Quality Assurance, Mr Rampa Victor Mosweu, indicated that the objectives of the training included promoting understanding of how to monitor activities and supervise staff to improve IPC performance as well as enhance the knowledge and skills of staff in key aspects/components of IPC. He further stated that the trainers would be updated on the new developments in IPC and that the new national IPC guidelines will be disseminated.. “The participants are expected to bear in mind that they will have roles to train other health workers in their districts either at their level or lower” said 

IPC training was built on the knowledge and experiences of the participants, including sharing of experiences and ideas across and within health facilities. In introducing the training, the participants were informed of the state of the country on IPC preparedness which led to the introductions of IPC, health associated infections (HAIs) and standard & transmission-based precautions. As part of the training, the participants were introduced to other important learning principles that included group discussions, group presentations, and plenary sessions that actively engaged every participant to contribute. Pre- and post-test were done to assess primary impact of the training as well as to measure the knowledge gained by 

During the training the trainers demonstrated clinical practices that included hand-hygiene, safe injection, use of personal protective equipment in the context of Covid-19 pandemic as well as safe handling of linen and laundry under the observation and guidance of facilitators from MOHW and WHO. 

The training also comprised of a field visit to conduct an Infection Prevention & Control Rapid Assessment of six Francistown Health Facilities in the context of COVID-19. The health facilities visited were Donga Clinic, Boikhutso Clinic, Gerald Estate Clinic, Area W Clinic, Botswelelo Clinic, and Jubilee Clinic. The information was obtained through review of records, inspection and observation of practices in the health facility and interviews with the health facility management. Key findings following Covid-19 Rapid Assessment conducted were presented to DHMT management as feedback and recommendations to improve the preparedness & response of their health facilities.

A participant, Ms Goitseone Ookeditse, a senior nurse in Francistown DHMT who is also a Coordinator of Infection Prevention & Control indicated that the training was well worthwhile and informative. “My expectations were met, and I am happy with the guidance from WHO and MOHW health experts who have clarified a lot of misperceptions I had, especially on clinical practices” she said.