Now, a new programme of work, funded by the Else Kroner Fresenius Stiftung, will build on, and expand, this existing work. It will work at three levels to improve the quality of surgical care: with individuals, institutions and systems. We will work at a strategic level with the ministry and division of health to support surgical data collection and management. We will also work with the four referral hospitals and four district-level hospitals to upskill clinical staff. Using a Training of Trainers approach, involving previously trained health workers at tertiary level, we will upskill non-specialists at the district level.
They will learn to improve infection prevention and control (through appropriate gloving and gowning procedures, hand washing, sterilisation of equipment, antimicrobial stewardship), deliver safe anaesthetic care (promoting use of pulse oximetry and patient monitoring) and improve theatre practice (promoting use of the WHO checklist, swab counts). The programme will also foster mentoring relationships that will enhance cooperation between different levels of the health system in the province. Collaborative research activities and peer-to-peer learning are built into the design of the project.