Sterilization of gowns: making the most of a scarce commodity during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Baylor Clinic in Mbabane, Eswatini, convened a crisis meeting to tackle critical shortages of long-sleeved disposable gowns that resulted from COVID-19 pandemic constraints on available personal protective equipment (PPE). A strategy deemed safe, affordable and sustainable was adopted to autoclave and re-use gowns based on a risk-stratified approach. Key objectives were to ensure essential infection control and prevention (ICP) for medical doctors, nurses, and laboratory teams. Administrative, environmental and personal protective measures for ICP were enhanced through regular staff training. This strategy for gown re-use has been invaluable in motivating responsible stewardship and maximization of available gowns during the COVID-19 pandemic.

La Baylor Clinic de Mbabane, Eswatini, a convoqué une réunion de crise pour remédier à la grave pénurie de blouses jetables à manches longues due au manque d'équipements de protection individuelle (PPE) lié à la pandémie de COVID-19. Une stratégie jugée sûre, abordable et durable a été adoptée pour stériliser par autoclave et réutiliser les blouses en prenant appui sur une approche stratifiée des risques. Les objectifs clés étaient de garantir la prévention et le contrôle des infections (ICP) pour les médecins, les infirmiers et les équipes de laboratoire. Les mesures ICP d'ordre administratif, environnemental et de protection individuelle ont été renforcées par le biais de formations régulières du personnel. Cette stratégie de réutilisation des blouses a permis de promouvoir une gestion responsable et de tirer au maximum profit des blouses disponibles pendant la pandémie de COVID-19.

Implementing malaria control in South Africa, Eswatini and southern Mozambique during the COVID-19 pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has strained healthcare delivery systems in a number of southern African countries. Despite this, it is imperative that malaria control and elimination activities continue, especially to reduce as far as possible the number and rate of hospitalisations caused by malaria. The implementation of enhanced malaria control/elimination activities in the context of COVID-19 requires measures to protect healthcare workers and the communities they serve. The aim of this review is therefore to present innovative ideas for the timely implementation of malaria control without increasing the risk of COVID-19 to healthcare workers and communities. Specific recommendations for parasite and vector surveillance, diagnosis, case management, mosquito vector control and community outreach and sensitisation are given.