Pacific Islands: Infection Prevention and Control Assessment of the WHO IPC core components for IPC Program
Margaret Leong1, , 1Pacific Community (SPC), Suva Fiji
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that all member countries should implement the minimum requirements for IPC which includes a functional national and healthcare facility level IPC programme, national IPC guidelines, IPC education and training, Healthcare Associated Infection (HAI) surveillance, Multimodal strategies, monitoring/audit of IPC practices and feedback, and supporting the built environment, materials and equipment for IPC [1].
The 2022 WHO Global Report on IPC provides a situational analysis of the status of IPC programs globally, and highlights lack of implementation of the minimum requirements for IPC worldwide. The data in this report has very low representation of Low Income Countries/Middle Income Countries, and no representation of with Pacific Island Countries and Territories (PICTs) [1], reflecting the lack of data available on IPC across the region.
Since 2020, the Pacific Community (SPC) has been working with PICTs to support IPC focal points with COVID-19 support and develop IPC capacity and programs at both the national and facility level. Over that time, significant progress has been made in a number of countries, including appointment of IPC Focal Points and the development of national guidelines and operational plans for IPC. Ongoing commitment to capacity-building, support and advocacy for IPC will be essential to meet the minimum requirements for IPC.
Biography
Margaret Leong works with the Pacific Community (SPC) as the Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Advisor and works with IPC focal points throughout the Pacific Island Countries and Territories (PICTS).
She has 30 years of experience working in the public sector both as a nursing clinician and in senior Nursing leadership roles in Fiji including Government Chief Nursing Office working closely with the Minister and she is the pioneer for IPC and the Fiji Patient Safety program.
She has extensive experience at the Pacific Regional level and understands the regional IPC challenges.