scholarly journals Challenges confronting health care workers in government's ARV rollout: rights and responsibilities

2017 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 486
Author(s):  
Yousuf A Vawda ◽  
Farhana Variawa
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Health Care Services ◽  
Successful Outcome ◽  
Health Crisis ◽  
The Public ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Hiv Aids

South Africa is renowned for having a progressive Constitution with strong protection of human rights, including protection for persons using the public health system. While significant recent discourse and jurisprudence have focused on the rights of patients, the situation and rights of providers of health care services have not been adequately ventilated. This paper attempts to foreground the position of the human resources personnel located at the centre of the roll-out of the government's ambitious programme of anti-retroviral (ARV) therapy. The HIV/AIDS epidemic represents a major public health crisis in our country and, inasmuch as various critical policies and programmes have been devised in response, the key to a successful outcome lies in the hands of the health care professionals tasked with implementing such strategies. Often pilloried by the public, our health care workers (HCWs) face an almost Herculean task of turning the tide on the epidemic. Unless the rights of HCWs are recognised and their needs adequately addressed, the best laid plans of government will be at risk. This contribution attempts to identify and analyse the critical challenges confronting HCWs at the coalface of the HIV/AIDS treatment programme, in particular the extent to which their own rights are under threat, and offers recommendations to remedy the situation in order to ensure the successful realisation of the ARV rollout.

Risking Lives to Save Others During COVID-19: A Focus on Public Health Care Workers in Bangladesh and Egypt

2021 ◽  
pp. 002073142110637
Author(s):  
Shahjahan Bhuiyan
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Public Health Care ◽  
Altruistic Behavior ◽  
Ongoing Research ◽  
Health Crisis ◽  
Street Level ◽  
Care Workers

The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has been spreading around the world, causing a major public health crisis that has already claimed hundreds of thousands of lives. Street-level bureaucrats­—health workers, teachers, street cleaners, police officers­, and so forth—are at the forefront in fighting against the pandemic. Of these, public health care workers, due to the nature of their involvement, should know and understand why they are risking their lives to save others during this pandemic. Based on the preliminary data gleaned from interviews with public health care workers in Bangladesh and Egypt, this ongoing research suggests they are risking their lives for reasons such as altruistic behavior, service to profession, adherence to bureaucratic accountability, and a desire to help mankind. The findings contribute to the existing literature about street-level bureaucratic behavior in atypical times such as these of the pandemic. This study is unique in that it comprehends that public health care workers of two culturally and geographically distinct countries are risking their lives for the same public-spirited cause.

scholarly journals Covid-19, Health Care in Ghana and the Fundamental Laws of Medical Science

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ayim Aboagye D
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Care Delivery ◽  
Medical Science ◽  
The Novel ◽  
The Public ◽  
Social Interventions ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
The Government

The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of available research concerning covid-19 in Ghana. It presents challenges, measures from the health care delivery sector in the public health facilities. The article draws some strength from the fundamental laws of medicine as they aid to prepare the scientists in their combat against the novel Covid-19, its variants such as Delta and Omicron. Though the government has suffered economically from lockdowns and social interventions, its resilience efforts have been acclaimed to be successful and have to be emulated by other countries. The health care workers in Ghana's dissatisfaction with their jobs in these periods have not sidelined government efforts to lead and care for its citizens amid a pandemic.

scholarly journals COVID-19 pandemic and its influence on mental health of healthcare professionals in Nepal

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (01) ◽  
pp. 23-27
Author(s):  
Robin Bhattarai ◽  
Joshila Chanu Yumnam ◽  
Kishor Chhantyal ◽  
Karuna Rai ◽  
Manoj Kumar Chaudhary ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Healthcare Professionals ◽  
Global Public Health ◽  
Front Line ◽  
Psychological Burden ◽  
Health Crisis ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
The Impact

Given the unprecedented global public health crisis due to the covid-19 pandemic, it is important to recognize the psychological impact on health care professionals. Previous experiences from the smaller scale epidemiology and new literature on COVID-19 have shown that increased pressure on healthcare professionals is associated with rise in the psychological incidence rates. We have described the psychological burden of the covid-19 pandemic on health care workers in Nepal and reviewed the literature on the impact of previous epidemics on front-line health care workers. In addition, we discussed potential triggers and measures to minimize the front-line psychological pressure to deal with this biological threat.

scholarly journals COVID-19 Vaccination and the Expanding Role of Pharmacists: Pharmacist - Immunization Program

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 288-291
Author(s):  
Muhammad Ahmer Raza ◽  
Shireen Aziz ◽  
Shahid Masood Raza ◽  
Sana Shahzad
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Health System ◽  
Health Systems ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Immunization Program ◽  
The Public ◽  
Care Workers

Pharmacists in health systems involved with immunizations have used their practice settings to become advocates for immunization and increase their responsibilities in the public health monarchy. Administering vaccines to patients and health care workers is enabling some health-system pharmacists to assume a prominent role in public health. Pharmacists have noticed that immunization needs were not being met and, through their advocacy, increased the numbers of patients and employees of health systems who have been vaccinated.

scholarly journals Peri-operative Care for Suspected or Confirmed COVID-19 Cases: A major Concern for the Public Health: A Review Article

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 23-33
Author(s):  
Krishnaprasad Gopalkrishna Vanthichal ◽  
Arijit Ray ◽  
Debashish Paul
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Face Mask ◽  
Surgical Patient ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Operation Theatre ◽  
The Public ◽  
Operative Care ◽  
Care Workers

Background: Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) including gown, shoe cover, face mask, eye goggles, cap, face shield and gloves for health-care professional in operation theatre is a must in order to contain COVID-19 pandemic. It is imperative to mention that a surgical patient whether  suspected or confirmed cases of COVID-19 must receive peri-operative care as it is the mainstay in care of surgical patient which cannot be denied to anyone. If we look at the incidences and the trend of spreading the COVID-19 infection, any breech in the personal and professional preventive steps to this infection in peri-operative care imposes greater risk to the public health as it affects the health care workers. Anesthetisologist and other staffs and health care workers (HCWs) in the operating room are in close proximity to patients. They are always in events of increased aerosol production from an infected patients, whether it is intubation, Bag and mask Ventilation or suctioning of the airway and life saving procedures.The major route of spread is contact transmission.Cross-infection is the major hindrance to seamless healthcare service to Covid-19 patients. Hand-washing is the universal viral transmission containment step. But it will not suffice to the preventive goal of these HCWs. Though operation rooms are maintained with negative pressure atmosphere which is ideal to minimize infection risk but this is the time to rehearse and practice other aspects too.Conclusion: The peri-operative care providers’ face several challenges in operation theatre  and during per-operative care while treating suspected or confirmed cases of COVID-19 and thus pose a greater risk to the society. We tried to summarise these vital points and practices, dissemination of which is of utmost importance at this pandenmic scenario.

scholarly journals SARS-CoV-2 Existence in Different Types of Biological Specimens and Leading Public Health Concern

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Priyanka Yadav
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Health Crisis ◽  
Infected People ◽  
New Public Health ◽  
New Public ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Novel Coronavirus

There is a new public health crisis threatening the world with the emergence and spread of novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2). The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which originated in Wuhan, China, in December 2019, has been declared a public health emergency of international concern by WHO. Most patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 exhibited symptoms of fever, cough, myalgia, fatigue and shortness of breath. Many infected people may be asymptomatic. It is generally believed that airway exposure to respiratory droplets from an infected patient is the main transmission route of this disease. However, apart from respiratory source, other source specimens like faecal matter and urine could be possible for COVID-19 infectivity. The spreading other routes of the virus has been alarming sign, both for public and health care professionals. Understanding the spreading routes of SARS-CoV-2 is crucial for patient management and defining biosafety strategies for public and health care workers.

Zero Health Worker Infection: Experiences From the China Ebola Treatment Unit During the Ebola Epidemic in Liberia

2016 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 262-266 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lei Liu ◽  
Huahua Yin ◽  
Ding Liu
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Infection Control ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Ebola Virus ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Successful Outcome ◽  
Medical Assistance ◽  
Treatment Unit ◽  
Care Workers

AbstractIn November 2014, a total of 164 health care workers were dispatched by the Chinese government as the first medical assistance team to Liberia. The tasks of this team were to establish a China Ebola treatment unit (ETU), to commence the initial admission and treatment of suspected and confirmed Ebola patients, and to provide public health and infection control training for relevant local personnel. Overall, during the 2-month stay of this first medical assistance team in Liberia, 112 Ebola-suspected patients presented to the ETU, 65 patients were admitted, including 5 confirmed cases, and 3 confirmed cases were cured. Furthermore, 1520 local people were trained, including health care workers, military health care workers, staff members employed by the ETU, and community residents. Most importantly, as the first Chinese medical assistance team deployed to Liberia fighting the Ebola virus on the frontline, not a single member of this team or the hired local staff were infected by Ebola virus. This highly successful outcome was due to the meticulous infection control initiatives developed by the team, thereby making a significant contribution to China’s ETU “zero infection” of health workers in Liberia. The major infection control initiatives conducted in the China ETU that contributed to achieving “zero infection” of all health workers in the ETU are introduced in this report. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2017;11:262–266)

scholarly journals Creating and sustaining healthy work environment for professional advancement in health care institutions: a case study of nursing students’ clinical posting in Abia State

2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (9) ◽  
pp. 3798
Author(s):  
Enwereji Ezinne E. ◽  
Ezeama Martina C. ◽  
Enwereji Kelechi O.
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Nursing Students ◽  
Work Environment ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Health Care Services ◽  
Team Work ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Healthy Work

Background: The need for nursing students to care and support patients especially those living positively with HIV and AIDS as well as those with terminal diseases should not be underestimated. By training, nursing students are expected to interact cordially with patients and other health care professionals but most times, the reverse is the case. Inter-professional and interpersonal education prepare nursing students on clinical posting to provide quality health care services to all patients irrespective of their ages and health conditions. Therefore, creating healthy work environment by encouraging team work, integrating treatment and prevention services to promote good health is imperative in ensuring patients’ safety, and enhanced inter-professional relationship.Methods: A two-day pre-clinical seminar which centered on professionalism, teamwork, interpersonal and inter-professional relationships, as well as effective communication to guarantee healthy work environments was carried out. The pre-clinical seminar was also used to prepare 186 nursing students on their expected roles during the twelve weeks’ clinical posting in health institutions. At the end of the students’ posting, two days post-clinical seminar aimed to harness students’ experiences, views and performances, as well as the teachers’ observations during the clinical posting was conducted. Thereafter, all comments on performances, observations, experiences and other remarks from the teachers and students were grouped together and analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively.Results: A good proportion of the students 142 (76.3%) established good interpersonal relationship with the patients who are HIV positive while 135 (72.6%) had effective inter-professional interaction with health care workers. Also 135 (72.6%) had good team work relationship with other health care professionals. There were better health care services to clients as evidenced by 95 (51.1%) of students who shared case managements with the health care workers and 122 (65.6%) of the students who used mobilization and advocacy to identify pressing challenges like inter-professional conflicts, poor uptake of messages about treatment and referrals as well as malnutrition among children. A respectable number of the students, 144 (77.4%) collaborated with colleagues to provide nutrition to malnourished children to improve their nutritional status, while 75 (40.3%) assisted in resolving some inter-professional conflicts.Conclusions: Students’ initiatives in management of cases, inter-professional and interpersonal learning experiences during clinical postings increased students’ understanding of teamwork and professionalism as well as promoted friendlier environments that guaranteed better health care services to patients.

scholarly journals COVID – 19 related knowledge and preventive practices early in the outbreak among health care workers in selected public health facilities of Illu aba Bor and Buno Bedelle zones, Southwest Ethiopia

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dereje Tsegaye ◽  
Muluneh Shuremu ◽  
Dereje Oljira ◽  
Sileshi Dubale ◽  
Getachew Befekadu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Personal Protective Equipment ◽  
Infection Prevention ◽  
Health Facilities ◽  
Protective Equipment ◽  
Southwest Ethiopia ◽  
Preventive Practices ◽  
Care Workers

Abstract Background Novel-coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) disease is currently a worldwide health risk and public health emergency concern. The virus is transmitted from an infected person to another person through close contact and droplets. Frontline health care workers are the most at risk of infection, and so a WHO interim guidance document was issued by the World Health Organization (WHO) which underscores the importance of proper sanitation and waste management practices for COVID- 19 in health-care settings. This study aimed at assessing knowledge and preventive practices towards Covid-19 among health care providers in selected health facilities of Illu Aba Bor and Buno Bedele zones, Southwest Ethiopia. Methods An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted from April to May 2020 among 330 health workers in selected health facilities of Illu Aba Bor and Buno-Bedelle Zones, Southwest Ethiopia. Data were collected using a self-administered structured questionnaire. The collected data were entered into Epidata version 3.1 and exported to SPSS version 23 for analysis. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to identify independent predictors of preventive practices towards Covid-19. Statistical significance was declared at a p-value of < 0.05. Result The majority of respondents (93.3%) demonstrated good knowledge of COVID-19, and the mean (SD) knowledge score was 9.04 ± 1.06. Nearly two-thirds (64.2%) of the study participants had good infection prevention practices. Being male (AOR = 3.65, 95% CI: (1.96, 6.80)), education level (AOR = 1.82, 95% CI (1.02, 3.22)), profession (AOR = 3.17, 95% CI (1.08, 9.33)), service year (5–10 years) (AOR = 2.00 (1.02, 3.92)) and more than 10 years (AOR = 3.14 (1.51, 6.52)), availability of personal protective equipment (AOR = 1.96 (1.06, 3.61)) and Knowledge level (AOR = 2.61 (1.48, 4.62)) were independent predictors of COVID-19 preventive practices. Conclusion The overall level of knowledge of HCWs was good. However, the practice was relatively low. Gender, educational status, profession, year of service, knowledge towards COVID-19, and availability of personal protective equipment were independent predictors of good infection prevention practices. Optimizing the infection prevention and control loop of the health facilities is recommended.

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