Source: Stabroek News , 17th September, 2007


The Ministry of Health is introducing safer practices and standard precautions in health care facilities to reduce occupational exposure to HIV and other blood-borne diseases among healthcare workers, the Government Informa-tion Agency (GINA) reported.

The Integration Injection Safety module launched last Thursday by the Ministry of Health and the Guyana Safer Injection Project (GSIP), focuses on reducing unsafe and inappropriate injections.

Acting Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Shamdeo Persaud said a safe injection does not harm the recipient, expose the provider to any risk, or result in waste that is dangerous to the community.

"As part of (US) President Bush's five-year emergency plan for AIDS relief (PEPFAR), the project is developing a national strategy to improve injection safety, improve healthcare waste management and educate the population about precautions that will reduce accidental transmission of HIV, hepatitis and other blood-borne diseases," Dr. Persaud is quoted by GINA as saying.

To fully protect workers, GINA added, the ministry is advocating several interventions including the use of closed, puncture-resistant safety boxes at all injection and x-ray sites. Workers are encouraged to adhere to the requirement for pre-exposure to hepatitis B and tetanus vaccinations.

Dr. Persaud said there is a need for posted information on post-exposure counselling and treatment for injuries caused by sharp instruments and the identification of a storage area for protective gear to ensure they are not removed from the facility to prevent against exposing family and community members to pathogens. These actions will be monitored and enforced for the safety of workers and patients.

GINA reported that Dr. Persaud said: "According to the World Health Organisation, approximately 20 million Hepatitis B and C and 260,000 HIV infections are due to injection practices. This is exacerbated by the 16 billion injections given annually, 70 per cent of which are either necessary or could be replaced by oral formulations. It is also a result of inadequate or unsterilised equipment, unsafe disposal practices, and limited awareness of the potential risk by community members and health workers.