TB and COVID-19 Infection Control in the Healthcare Sector Webinar Series

On the 4th of June 2020 the Department of Employment and Labour (DoL) issued Directives for employers to deal with Covid-19 at workplaces. The DoL requires employers to use the precautions of the Occupational Health and Safety Act in particular the Hazardous Biological Agents regulations, governing workplaces in relation to Covid-19. In the period since the issuing of the guidelines a clear picture has emerged about Covid-19, the nature of the hazard, the risk in the workplace and the precautions that should be taken to minimize the risk.

Recognizing the critical need for competent human resources in risk reduction, the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), which is funded by the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offered a 5-day course on the management of airborne and contact infection prevention and control course.

The CSIR has been offering a TB course since 2010 and has graduated in excess of 3000 participants in all 9 provinces. Due to the devastating effects of Covid-19, the CSIR team has added comprehensive modules on Covid-19 management in healthcare settings. The package offers an educational model for healthcare practitioners who are looking at acquiring skills in risk management and infection prevention and control. It also consists of virtual online training and on-site hands on practicals on risk assessments. The CSIR will sponsor equipment and support on installation of a mobile application (app) risk assessment, as well as a selection of specialized online courses. All modules were developed by experts in the respective field.

The TBCRMP was held from the 12st until the 29th of September 2020. The course comprised three days of online course webinars, followed by one day of classroom presentations and ended with a day of practical sessions. The practical class was limited to under 50 attendees as per government gazette regulations.

These webinars have been supported by the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) through the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) under the terms of Grant Number – 6NU2GGH001937-04-04