Question NW06 to the Minister of Health
13 March 2017 - NW06
Madisha, Mr WM to ask the Minister of Health
(1) Can he indicate, with regard to the high risks of spreading infectious diseases (details furnished), medical checks are carried out on all healthcare professionals upon (a)(i) entry and (ii) exit of hospitals and (b) routinely; if not, why not in each case; if so, what are the relevant details of the frequency of such checks; (2) whether sufficient N95 masks are allocated to hospitals and health professionals; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
(1) The Department of Health undertakes annual assessments of health care professionals against possible infections, generally, through occupational health units located within health facilities. Recently, the Department has decided to put together an additional policy, to look at TB specifically. While the policy is still being developed, with reviews being undertaken by all relevant stakeholders including associations of health professional workers and legal units, it has already been determined that medical checks for TB will be undertaken more frequently. The policy will be implemented once it has been approved by the National Health Council (NHC);
(2) The Department of Health provides N95 masks to all health care professionals and surgical masks for the use of patients. These are however used more consistently in high risk (for infection) areas of health facilities. These masks are provided on the basis of a tender that has been awarded to a service provider, following negotiations for lowering of the masks' prices
END.