‘Nine more hospitals in Liberia ready to strengthen IPC using Alcohol Based Handrub ’

Liberia, July 2015 - The Ministry of Health in Liberia in collaboration with the Swiss Agency for Development and Corporation in January 2015 initiated a pilot project to produce Alcohol Based Handrub (ABHR) for Infection Prevention and Control measures in ten hospitals. This project was conceived as a result of a joint collaboration between WHO Collaboration Center on Patient Safety Infection Control and Improved Practices and the University of Geneva Hospital, Faculty of Medicine.

ABHR is the preferred hand hygiene method, for all standard aseptic non-touch technique procedures or when hands are not visibly soiled. This Alcohol Based Handrub is a disinfectant which Bomi Hospital in Liberia has so far produced 600 bottles with a plan of increasing production to 200 bottles per day as the need arises. This product which is 80% ethyl-alcohol is produced at the hospital by two pharmacists and three support staff.

In expressing her delight, Dr Williamatta Williams-Gibson, Director, Bomi Hospital, indicated that the ABHR product is complimenting hand washing and other infection prevention practices at the hospital and the medical staff were pleased as the solution was very handy and can be applied during medical procedures. This is done by simply applying 3ml (about a palmful) on one hand and rubbing both hands for 20 – 30 seconds until dry. She also indicated that hand washing is a paramount principle for infection control in the hospital as can be seen from the many hand washing stations in critical areas within the hospital and its vicinity.

A major concern expressed by the hospital was the cessation of donor funding and the inability of the government to provide funding for continuation of the project. Available stock of raw materials on hand is for a duration of only two years and therefore the urgent need to explore alternative means of sustaining such an important program.  If sustained the project could be replicated and expanded to other hospitals and facilities throughout the country and this would result in great saving for the government from importation and purchase of sanitizers and other disinfectants.

Recent development has witnessed the training supported the training of pharmacy staff from 2 hospitals in Montserrado County and eight more hospitals in the counties of; Nimba, Lofa, Bomi, Bong, Margibi, Bassa and Grand Gedeh by the Swiss Agency for Development and corporation. These hospitals have been provided with raw materials and equipment so that following the training, production of Alcohol Based Handrub for use in these facilities. The Chief Pharmacist recommended that the World Health Organization should engage the Swiss Agency for Development and other partners for an extension of the project after the initial two years and its replication to other counties.

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For more information please contact:

Dr Alex Gasasira
Email: gasasiraa [at] who.int

Dr April Baller
Email: ballera [at] who.int

Hudson Kubwalo
Email: Kubwaloh [at] who.int