Surgical Site Infection Prevention Training of Community Health workers in Rwanda.

Surgical CEI in Rwanda

Abstract

The University of Rwanda established the Global Surgery Research Hub Rwanda under the Department of Surgery. One of the key strategies is Community Engagement and Involvement (CEI), aimed at establishing sustainable networks for ongoing engagement with relevant community cohorts to improve surgical care outcomes. In this context, a Surgical Site Infections (SSIs) prevention toolkit was developed to increase awareness, prevention, and management of SSIs among Community Health Workers (CHWs) members and patients. A subsequent workshop was organised to train CHWs on the use and dissemination of said toolkit. The rationale for selecting CHWs for this training is that they are responsible for delivering first-line, village-level care and are the largest single group involved in healthcare delivery in the country.