Project Materials

ASSESSING THE COVID-19 SAFETY COMPLIANCE LEVEL IN HEALTHCARE SECTOR

Chapter one

INTRODUCTION

Background of the study

Throughout history, the world has witnessed an infectious sickness that has shaken practically every country. Surprisingly, in the first three months after COVID-19 originated in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China, a massive number of additional cases were recorded across China and numerous other nations across the world. It was finally declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organisation (WHO) in March 2020.

According to evidence, COVID-19 spreads through respiratory droplets via contact pathways such as the mouth, nose, conjunctiva, or eyes (UNICEF 2020). According to the Worldometer (2020) report, the outbreak has been confirmed in over 21,628,638 people globally and caused more than 769,128 deaths as of August 16, 2020, with 99% of cases being moderate.

Over 213 nations reported laboratory-confirmed coronavirus cases. In Africa, 1,113,246 confirmed cases and 25,385 deaths were recorded (Worldometre 2020).

Despite the fact that the epidemic is a worldwide pandemic, it is crucial to stress that the situation requires more attention in Africa due to the low capacity of African healthcare systems to handle the pandemic.

Measures to prevent transmission in healthcare settings are an immediate priority for slowing the demand for specialised healthcare, such as intensive care unit beds, safeguarding risk groups, protecting healthcare workers, and limiting the spread of cases to other healthcare facilities and the general public.

Businesses in the healthcare industry provide medical services, manufacture medical equipment or medications, provide medical insurance, or assist the delivery of healthcare to patients.

Health workers, who are primarily responsible for protecting and improving the health of their population, are particularly vulnerable to the Covid-19 sickness.

Healthcare workers are at the forefront of the nation’s fight against the pandemic. by giving critical care to anyone who may be infected with the virus that causes covid 19.

Healthcare workers are at significant risk of being exposed and infected with the novel disease. According to the Centre for Disease Control 2020, there were over 249,000 confirmed illnesses and 866 deaths among healthcare workers.