AKIPRESS.COM - On April 16, 2019, a presentation of results of the 16-year program “Medical waste management / hospital acquired infection control in health facilities of the Kyrgyz Republic” was held in Bishkek.

This health program financed by the Swiss government through the Swiss Agency for Development Cooperation (SDC), and implemented by the Swiss Red Cross started in 2003 and was successfully implemented throughout the country.

The aim of the program was to improve the quality of medical care through the prevention and control of hospital acquired infections, as well as development and implementation of an innovative model of medical waste management.

During yesterday event, a detailed report on the results and impact of the program was presented. The deputy Minister of Health, directors of regional hospitals, the Swiss Ambassador and a representative of the Swiss Red Cross attended the event.

The results of the program are impressive. Today the hospital acquired infection control system and the new model of medical waste management have been introduced in all health facilities of Kyrgyzstan. As a result, prevalence of hospital acquired infections, in particular for newborns, pregnant women and intensive care patients have significantly reduced and the safety of patients and employees of medical institutions was improved. In addition, the project contributed to reduce emissions of persistent organic pollutants and thus to protect the environment.

The program also developed new legal and regulatory framework, established the infection control infrastructure and improved skills of medical workers. New standards of hospital acquired infection control have been integrated into the national postgraduate and continuous medical education.