BACKGROUND AND RATIONALE

The COVID-19 pandemic is the global health crisis of our time and the greatest challenge we have faced since World War II. Since its emergence last year in Asia, the virus has spread around the world. Cases are increasing daily in Africa, America, and Europe. And there are many discussions going on in different parts of the world to find safe ways to protect and reduce the spread of the virus.

The health sector in this pandemic is the most exposed because of their close contact with patients and it is essential to think about a real barrier of protection to allow them to continue to fly to the rescue of populations.

The virus is transmitted mainly by respiratory route and by close contact with a person or directly from contaminated surfaces. Respiratory transmission occurs in the droplets of saliva expelled by the patient, for example when he coughs or sneezes. Scientists estimate that this requires a contact distance (about one meter). However, it is difficult for a health worker to stand within one meter of a patient he or she is called upon to touch and examine. Therefore, solutions should be considered to prevent the virus from being sprayed in the face of health workers when the patient happens to cough or sneeze. Masks have been and continue to be successful, but they do not cover the entire face.

Also, in West Africa, at the initiative of the Technical Direction of Humanity & Inclusion and Jérôme CANICAVE (Consultant in Prostheses and Orthoses), the African Organization for the Development of Centers for Persons with Disabilities (OADPCH), in partnership with the Ecole Nationale des Auxiliaires Médicaux de Lomé (ENAM-L) have thought and proceeded to the manufacture of prototypes of protective visors and masks for health personnel in general, and in particular for rehabilitation professionals in order to protect themselves and their patients. In the words of Dr. Gusmini, “It is very reassuring for the nursing staff because it avoids any projection at the level of the eyes, the skin and the mouth, and it also avoids us to carry our hands to the face” (https://www.franceinter.fr/societe/covid-19-l-imprimante-3d-a-la-rescousse).

Of course, these visors are mainly protective screens and barriers against coughing and spitting, they do not replace the mask in any way. They are in addition to all other barrier measures defined and published by the WHO and should not be used as a substitute for all other barrier measures.

These protective visors can obviously be used in all sectors of activity where contact between people cannot be avoided, and why not to any person who in his personal activities should come into contact with someone else.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this project is to participate in the global synergy in the fight against Covid19 by designing, manufacturing and making available to health professionals in general and to rehabilitation professionals protective visors and masks against Covid19, in the French-speaking area of West Africa, and by sharing recommendations specific to rehabilitation centers in the area concerned.

This project also values the unique and often poorly known and under-used skills of rehabilitation center professionals; although their activity is reduced or stopped during the Covid-19 episode, they will nevertheless remain active for the benefit of their health colleagues and the population; they will thus be prepared and equipped to ensure the post-acute care of Covid-19 patients according to WHO guidelines currently being developed with the support of HI.

DURÉE DU PROJET : 2017 –

PARTENAIRES

Centrale d’achats de OADCPH

HI

Alcura

Penta Group

SM Europe

REHABILITATION CENTERS’ CONTRIBUTION TO THE FIGHT AGAINST COVID19

NOVEMBER 29, 2021 BY OADCPH

VISORS OF PROTECTION PROJECT FOR WEST AFRICAN COUNTRIES19

BACKGROUND AND RATIONALE

The COVID-19 pandemic is the global health crisis of our time and the greatest challenge we have faced since World War II. Since its emergence last year in Asia, the virus has spread around the world. Cases are increasing daily in Africa, America, and Europe. And there are many discussions going on in different parts of the world to find safe ways to protect and reduce the spread of the virus.

The health sector in this pandemic is the most exposed because of their close contact with patients and it is essential to think about a real barrier of protection to allow them to continue to fly to the rescue of populations.

The virus is transmitted mainly by respiratory route and by close contact with a person or directly from contaminated surfaces. Respiratory transmission occurs in the droplets of saliva expelled by the patient, for example when he coughs or sneezes. Scientists estimate that this requires a contact distance (about one meter). However, it is difficult for a health worker to stand within one meter of a patient he or she is called upon to touch and examine. Therefore, solutions should be considered to prevent the virus from being sprayed in the face of health workers when the patient happens to cough or sneeze. Masks have been and continue to be successful, but they do not cover the entire face.

Also, in West Africa, at the initiative of the Technical Direction of Humanity & Inclusion and Jérôme CANICAVE (Consultant in Prostheses and Orthoses), the African Organization for the Development of Centers for Persons with Disabilities (OADPCH), in partnership with the Ecole Nationale des Auxiliaires Médicaux de Lomé (ENAM-L) have thought and proceeded to the manufacture of prototypes of protective visors and masks for health personnel in general, and in particular for rehabilitation professionals in order to protect themselves and their patients. In the words of Dr. Gusmini, “It is very reassuring for the nursing staff because it avoids any projection at the level of the eyes, the skin and the mouth, and it also avoids us to carry our hands to the face” (https://www.franceinter.fr/societe/covid-19-l-imprimante-3d-a-la-rescousse).

Of course, these visors are mainly protective screens and barriers against coughing and spitting, they do not replace the mask in any way. They are in addition to all other barrier measures defined and published by the WHO and should not be used as a substitute for all other barrier measures.

These protective visors can obviously be used in all sectors of activity where contact between people cannot be avoided, and why not to any person who in his personal activities should come into contact with someone else.

To compensate for the lack of protective masks for health personnel, 3D printed masks that are easy to disinfect and reusable can be used.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this project is to participate in the global synergy in the fight against Covid19 by designing, manufacturing and making available to health professionals in general and to rehabilitation professionals protective visors and masks against Covid19, in the French-speaking area of West Africa, and by sharing recommendations specific to rehabilitation centers in the area concerned.

This project also values the unique and often poorly known and under-used skills of rehabilitation center professionals; although their activity is reduced or stopped during the Covid-19 episode, they will nevertheless remain active for the benefit of their health colleagues and the population; they will thus be prepared and equipped to ensure the post-acute care of Covid-19 patients according to WHO guidelines currently being developed with the support of HI.

More specifically, it is about :

STANDARD of a production model kit

Provide prototypes manufactured by OADCPH and ENAM-L to the rehabilitation centers in the concerned area

TRAINING & MATERIALS for deployment of the standard

Showing the centers the easy manufacturing process of the protective visors
Integrating advice to the organization of production, with strict compliance with barrier measures,
Provide rehabilitation centers with 3D printed protective masks
To provide the centers with the material for the production of the protective visors
Provision of posters and work organization instructions

QUALITY ASSURANCE

Monitor the production and distribution of protective visors and masks

Set up a feedback system to continuously improve the standard kit

Duration : February 2019-
Region: West Africa / OADCPH member countries

Partners
National School of Medical Assistants (ENAM) – Faculty of Medicine – Togo
International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)
Handicap International-Humanity & Inclusion (HI)