Infection prevention and control for COVID-19 response in the Rohingya refugee camps in Bangladesh: an intra-action review

International Journal for Equity in Health

Research

Md Mahbubur Rahman¹  Anupam Barua²  Aritra Das³  Marsela Nyawara⁴  Abu Toha M. R. H. Bhuiyan⁵  Allen Gidraf Kahindo Maina⁶  Murad Sultan⁷  S. M. Niaz Mowla⁸  Sabbir Ahmed⁸  Rebecca Racheal Apolot⁸  Egmond Samir Evers⁸  Kai Von Harbou⁸  Simon Ssentamu Kaddu⁸  Paul Debashish⁸  Victoria Willet⁹ 

[1] Civil Surgeon’s Office, Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh;Cox’s Bazar Medical College, Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh;Food for the Hungry/Medical Teams International, Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh;International Organization for Migration (IOM), Cox’s Bazar Sub Office, Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh;Office of the Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner, Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh;United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Cox’s Bazar Sub Office, Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh;World Health Organization, Bangladesh Country Office, Dhaka, Bangladesh;World Health Organization, Cox’s Bazar Emergency Sub Office, Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh;World Health Organization, WHO Health Emergencies (WHE) Programme, Geneva, Switzerland;

关键词: Infection Prevention and Control;    COVID-19;    Rohingya;    Refugees;    Lessons learned;    Bangladesh;    Intra-action review;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s12939-023-01926-2

 received in 2022-08-10, accepted in 2023-05-30,  发布年份 2023

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundInfection Prevention and Control (IPC) is critical in controlling the COVID-19 pandemic and is one of the pillars of the WHO COVID-19 Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan 2020. We conducted an Intra-Action Review (IAR) of IPC response efforts to the COVID-19 pandemic in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh, to identify best practices, challenges, and recommendations for improvement of the current and future responses.MethodsWe conducted two meetings with 54 participants purposively selected from different organizations and agencies involved in the frontline implementation of IPC in Cox's Bazar district, Bangladesh. We used the IPC trigger questions from the WHO country COVID-19 IAR: trigger question database to guide the discussions. Meeting notes and transcripts were then analyzed manually using content analysis, and results were presented in text and quotes.ResultsBest practices included: assessments, a response plan, a working group, trainings, early case identification and isolation, hand hygiene in Health Facilities (HFs), monitoring and feedback, general masking in HFs, supportive supervision, design, infrastructure and environmental controls in Severe Acute Respiratory Infection Isolation and Treatment Centers (SARI ITCs) and HFs and waste management. Challenges included: frequent breakdown of incinerators, limited PPE supply, inconsistent adherence to IPC, lack of availability of uniforms for health workers, in particular cultural and gender appropriate uniforms and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Recommendations from the IAR were: (1) to promote the institutionalization of IPC, programs in HFs (2) establishment of IPC monitoring mechanisms in all HCFs, (3) strengthening IPC education and training in health care facilities, and (4) strengthen public health and social measures in communities.ConclusionEstablishing IPC programmes that include monitoring and continuous training are critical in promoting consistent and adaptive IPC practices. Response to a pandemic crisis combined with concurrent emergencies, such as protracted displacement of populations with many diverse actors, can only be successful with highly coordinated planning, leadership, resource mobilization, and close supervision.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© The Author(s) 2023

【 图 表 】

Fig. 2