Training Begins on Infection Prevention

Day one of a two-day training of trainers’ workshop by the Caribbean Public Health Agency was held today at the Biltmore Plaza. Local medical practitioners from across the country are receiving refresher courses on infection prevention control. The workshop also focuses on better responses in terms of personal protective equipment required to be used in health facilities for specific events, such as an outbreak of a virus.  The workshop, which is being carried out across the Caribbean, is funded by the Inter-American Development Bank. Licensing and Accreditation Director at the Ministry of Health, Englebert Emmanuel explains:

Englebert Emmanuel

Englebert Emmanuel, Director, Licensing and Accreditation Unit, M.O.H.

“If there is an outbreak of a specific condition, it equips us in terms of the knowledge and what we need to do and what we should use to protect ourselves and health professionals within the health setting and for those who are exposed to those specific events.”

Duane Moody

“What are some of the precautions that health professionals must take?”

Englebert Emmanuel

“Well initially, one of the things that we are required to do is do our routine vaccination. That’s one. Secondly, it is in terms of understanding the information that we need to in terms of protecting ourselves within the health facility. For example, if there is a specific event, what is required of us in terms of protecting ourselves; the right P.P.E.s that we need to use in terms of addressing and caring for the patient. What are the different personal protective equipments that we need to use.”

Some of those protective personal equipments include gloves, gowns, goggles, and face shields. And while all may not be required in the event of a health situation, Emmanuel says that the public must appreciate the restrictions inside health facilities.