Jhpiego Launches Infection Prevention Project to Combat Ebola in Central and Southern Liberia

MONROVIA, Liberia, Feb. 26, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Health care providers in 264 health facilities throughout Liberia will receive updated skills training in infection prevention and control (IPC) practices under a new workplace safety project awarded to Jhpiego. This initiative is designed to strengthen health services, especially for women and families, during the Ebola crisis.

The project, "Comprehensive Approach to Strengthening Essential Infection Prevention and Control Practices for Ebola Virus Disease in Liberia," is funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development through its Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance. It will be implemented by Jhpiego, an international, nonprofit health organization affiliated with the Johns Hopkins University. Jhpiego, which has offices in Monrovia, has been working in partnership with Liberia's Ministry of Health since 2009 to strengthen the health workforce and curricula for nursing and midwifery students, and has introduced lifesaving maternal health interventions at the community level and integrated family planning into child immunization services.

Under this project, Jhpiego will ensure that health care workers and facilities have the training (using the "Keep Safe Keep Serving" IPC package), support and confidence to provide health services safely through improved IPC knowledge and skills. A related goal is to build back confidence of clients, especially pregnant woman and new mothers, to return to health facilities for services for their children. This IPC intervention will contribute to the restoration of basic health services and to improvement in the overall quality of health care provision, focusing on women and children who are most vulnerable.

The six-month project will be carried out in health facilities across eight counties: Bong, Grand Bassa, Grand Gedeh, Lofa, Nimba, Maryland, Margibi and Montserrado. "Appropriate training provides health care workers with the right knowledge, skills and attitudes, but it is supportive supervision that is essential for behavior change and maintaining quality of care with refresher trainings, mentoring, coaching and feedback," explains Marion Subah, Jhpiego's Country Representative in Liberia.

Through this project, Jhpiego will contribute to national-level coordination, build local capacity and sustainability, and provide intensive supportive supervision, as well as other activities according to need.

SOURCE Jhpiego