BENIN CITY – A former Deputy Vice Chancellor of the University of Benin, Prof .P Irhibhogbe has advised on the need to wear surgical face masks which filters the virus rather than using any piece of clothe as a face mask for protection against diseases.
Speaking at a workshop on keeping a crèche safe and healthy, organized by the Institute of Child Health, University of Benin/University of Benin Teaching Hospital and World Health Organization WHO, held in Benin City, Prof Irhibhogbe said the face mask is meant for protection.
According to him, while giving care to children in the crèches , the owners or workers in the crèche should wear surgical face masks and protective gloves to protect themselves and the children they are taking care of.
“The crèche which is a nursery where children are kept while their pa rents are either at work should have a medical arrangement to avoid the spread of diseases. We should all have first aid box in our houses which must be checked every day,” he noted.
Prof. Irhibhogbe who gave a lecture to the participants of the workshop on the topic, ‘the first aid box-what to do when there is an injury recalled that last year August the wards of the hospital was full with patients and he stressed on the need for team work to reduce the spread of diseases.
Also, the immediate past director of the institute of Child Health, University of Benin/ University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Prof. Ayebo Sadoh who spoke on the topic, ‘ Common Child hood diseases, such as diarrhea, acute respiratory infection, fever and febrile convulsion’ advised the proprietors of crèches to encourage mothers to achieve baby friendliness by accepting breast milk from the parents.
She told them what to do when a child has diarrhea which is common amongst children, and what to take, noting that most important form of treatment is the fluid management which does not require antibiotics.
“One of the features of measles in children is diarrhea and there are serious illnesses that can cause convulsion which must be referred to the doctor to treat,” she added.
Prof. Sadoh also spoke on the infection, prevention and control in crèches /Assessment of immunization status, Mrs. T Eyakwanor delivered her lecture on ‘ Caring for the young infant- bathing and care, changing of diapers and Prof. C. Eregie dealt with Infant feeding.
Other topics include ‘ Keeping the crèche safe- Ideal structure and furnishing, delivered by Arch. Irhibhogbe (Mrs), Child play and simulation, by Mr. V. Emore and the Acting Director, Institute of Child Health, University of Benin Dr. D. U Nwaneri earlier gave guidelines for setting up a crèche .
