Abstract:
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we established and sustained local production of alcohol-based handrub (ABHR) at district scale for healthcare facilities and community, public locations in four districts in Uganda. District officials provided space and staff for production units. The project renovated space for production, trained staff on ABHR production, and transported ABHR to key locations. The production officer conducted internal ABHR quality assessments while trained district health inspectors conducted external quality assessments prior to distribution. Information, education, and communication materials accompanied ABHR distribution. Onsite ABHR consumption was monitored by site staff using stock cards. On average, it took 11 days (range: 8-14) and 5,760 USD (range: 4,400-7,710) to set up a production unit. From March-December 2021, 21,600L of quality-controlled ABHR were produced for 111 healthcare facilities and community locations at an average cost of 4.30 USD/L (range: 3.50-5.76). All ABHR passed both internal and external quality control (average ethanol concentration of 80%, range: 78-81%). This case study demonstrated that establishing centralized, local production of quality-controlled, affordable ABHR at a district-wide scale is feasible and strengthens the ability of healthcare workers and community locations to access and use ABHR during infectious disease outbreaks in low-resource countries.
摘要:
为了应对COVID-19大流行,我们建立并维持本地生产的酒精为基础的手擦(ABHR)在地区规模的医疗保健设施和社区,乌干达四个地区的公共场所。地区官员为生产单位提供了空间和人员。该项目改造了生产空间,受过ABHR生产培训的员工,并将ABHR运送到关键地点。生产官员进行了内部ABHR质量评估,而训练有素的地区卫生检查员在分发之前进行了外部质量评估。信息,教育,以及伴随ABHR分发的通讯材料。现场工作人员使用库存卡监测现场ABHR的消耗。平均而言,它花了11天(范围:8-14)和5,760美元(范围:4,400-7,710)建立一个生产单位。从2021年3月至12月,为111个医疗机构和社区地点生产了21,600升质量控制的ABHR,平均成本为4.30美元/升(范围:3.50-5.76)。所有ABHR均通过内部和外部质量控制(平均乙醇浓度为80%,范围:78-81%)。本案例研究表明,建立集中式,质量控制的本地生产,在整个地区范围内负担得起的ABHR是可行的,并增强了医护人员和社区地点在低资源国家传染病暴发期间获取和使用ABHR的能力。