HEALTH AND SAFETY
- 9.1
The University shall endeavour to (refer to health and safety policy):
- 9.1.1
provide and maintain a safe learning environment by implementing structures and programmes to ensure that hazards to Health and Safety are identified in a systematic manner and timely acted on;
- 9.1.2
provide fire prevention and safety training to all staff and students;
- 9.1.3
comply with the requirements of all laws governing occupational health and safety;
- 9.1.4
take proactive measures to ensure responsible environmental management;
- 9.1.5
ensure that contractors undertake their duties in a safe and responsible manner.
- 9.2
Every student shall:
- 9.2.1
Be required to join the University Medical Scheme or provide proof of membership of another reputable medical scheme.
- 9.2.2
Undergo medical examination at the college clinic before registration.
- 9.2.3
Be hospitalized according to the cover provided by the medical scheme.
- 9.2.4
Every student, member of staff, visitor or any other person is prohibited from undertaking any action that would endanger the health, safety or personal security of other people in or around any University premises including:
- 9.2.4.1
Possession of dangerous materials such as firearms, fireworks, chemicals, explosives, or potentially lethal weapons.
- 9.2.4.2
Unauthorized entry by any person into a room other than the room to which he/she is authorized.
- 9.2.4.3
Unauthorized possession of keys or college identification cards or tampering of any college locking or identification systems.
- 9.2.4.4
Occupation of the roof of any college building.
- 9.2.4.5
Connection of any equipment or appliance to an electrical supply in contravention of normal and reasonable safety standards.
- 9.2.4.6
Use of immersion heaters on the University college. Use of any personal appliance which draws more than one kilowatt of electrical power e.g. rice cookers, kettles, heaters, hot plates, washing machines, refrigerators, microwaves etc. If found, the residence of the room shall forfeit his or her residency
This includes Cooking of food in hostels is prohibited, selling commodities in the hall/hostel such as groceries, liquor, dangerous drugs and food stuffs, conducting parties in the hall/hostel and playing loud music in the hall/hostel - 9.3
HIV and AIDS
The University recognises the growing epidemic of human immune deficiency virus (HIV) infection at the global, national, and local levels. It is prudent, therefore, for the University to adopt policies and practices that presume the possibility of HIV presence. Specific safeguards are felt to be important for sero-positive individuals. These safeguards, listed below, are built primarily around issues of confidentiality and non-discrimination. (refer to HIV AIDS POLICY) - 9.3.1
The University has an HIV and AIDS Policy and all students are encouraged to access it from the Website, Library, Registrar and, the College HIV and AIDS chairperson.
- 9.3.2
No student shall be denied enrolment on the basis of HIV infection.
- 9.3.3
HIV infection shall not be used as a reason to restrict participation in any educational, recreational, social or athletic activity.
- 9.3.4
Testing for sero-status shall not be a requirement for admission into the University.
- 9.3.5
Individuals, who are sero-positive, whether or not symptomatic, shall not be denied free and unrestricted access to all facilities, programmes, and events unless stipulated otherwise by qualified medical personnel.
- 9.3.6
No individual shall be denied access to residential housing or be otherwise isolated, restricted, or segregated on the basis of their sero-positivity.
- 9.3.7
The University clinic shall be available to provide to student's HIV diagnostic services, free voluntary counselling and testing, support counselling for students living with HIV and AIDS and appropriate referrals for HIV antibody testing; Provided that all such involvement with the clinic as well as any information shared or generated by its guidance will be kept strictly confidential unless required by law to be reported.
- 9.3.8
Individuals who know that they are sero-positive shall be encouraged, though not required, to discuss their condition with the clinic staff for purposes of proper medical care and follow-up.
- 9.3.9
Any individual concerned about HIV or HIV-related issues shall seek personal counselling and assistance through the clinic's counselling centre.
- 9.3.10
In accordance with the principle of confidentiality and current medical information, the University shall have no obligation to inform staff, roommates, or anyone else of the HIV status of any student or member of staff.
- 9.3.11
All records shall be kept with strict confidentiality and will be released only with the express written permission of the sero-positive student and the request of the University Registrar.
- 9.3.12
Confidentiality shall be strictly protected within statutory limits.
- 9.3.13
No information about a student's HIV status or the institution's response to such infection shall be disclosed to anyone unless by the University Registrar.
- 9.3.14
The University shall from time to time make and announce periodic changes to its position and practices with respect to HIV and AIDS.
- 9.3.15
Any students of the University may withdraw on medical grounds only if medical personnel have certified that they are unfit to continue with their studies for the time being and with approval of the University Registrar.
- 9.4
COVID-19
- 9.4.1
COVID-19 is a disease caused by a new strain of coronavirus (SARS-C0V-2). The disease occurs when the SARS-C0V-2 affects the functionality of the body organs or systems especially the respiratory system and may manifest as severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) and Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS)
- 9.4.2
Symptoms of COVID-19
The most common symptoms of COVID can include fever, dry cough, shortness of breath, breathing difficulties, body ache or pain, sore throat, tiredness, loss of smell or taste, headache, chest pain or pressure, loss of speech or movement and loss of consciousness. In more severe cases, infection can cause pneumonia or breathing difficulties. More rarely, the disease can be fatal. These symptoms are similar to the flu (influenza) and common cold, which are a lot more common than COVID-19. Therefore, testing is required to confirm if someone has COVID-19. Most people (about 80%) recover from the disease without needing special treatment and others become infected but don't develop any symptoms and don't feel unwell. - 9.4.3
How does COVID-19 spread?
The virus is transmitted through direct contact with respiratory droplets of an infected person (generated through coughing and sneezing). Individuals can also be infected by touching surfaces contaminated with the virus and touching their face (e.g., eyes, nose, mouth). The COVID-19 virus may survive on surfaces for several hours; but simple disinfectants can kill it. - 9.4.4
What is the treatment for COVID-19?
Currently, there is no available vaccine and medicines for COVID-19. However, many of the symptoms can be treated and getting early care from a healthcare provider can make the disease less dangerous. - 9.4.5
Who is most at risk?
Everyone is at risk of COVID-19 however, others are more vulnerable to severe infection. These include people who are 60 years of age and above, Immunocompromised individuals, those exposed to patients with COVID-19, and those with underlying chronic medical conditions such as; cardiovascular diseases, Diabetes, Hypertension, Lung diseases, - 9.4.6
Case definitions
- 9.4.6.1
Suspect Case
- Patient with a severe respiratory infection (FEVER1 AND at least one sign/symptom of respiratory disease (e.g., cough, shortness breath includes other severe COVID symptoms), AND with no other etiology that fully explains the clinical presentation presenting to health facility who may or may not require hospitalization.
- Patients with acute respiratory illness (at least one sign/symptom of respiratory disease (e.g. sore throat, cough, difficulties in breathing, fever)) or other COVID-19 related symptoms (headache, fatigue, loss of smell and taste, diarrhea), AND with no other etiology that fully explains the clinical presentation2 AND at least one of the following
- history of residence in an area reporting community transmission3 within Malawi or travel to or residence in a country, area or territory reporting local transmission of COVID-19 during the 14 days before symptom onset
- a health care worker or any person who has been working in an environment where COVID-19 cases are being managed.
- a person, with or without acute respiratory illness, having been in contact with a confirmed or probable COVID-19 case, in the 2 days prior to 14 days after onset of symptoms of the confirmed or probable case
- 9.4.6.2
Probable Case
- A suspect case for whom testing for COVID-19 is inconclusive. Inconclusive being the result of the test reported by the laboratory
- A suspect case for whom testing could not be performed for any reason
- 9.4.6.3
Confirmed Case
A person with laboratory confirmation of COVID-19 infection, irrespective of clinical signs and symptoms - 9.5
COVID-19 death
COVID-19 death is defined for surveillance purposes as a death resulting from a clinically compatible illness in a probable or confirmed COVID-19 case unless there is a clear alternative cause of death that cannot be related to COVID disease (e.g. trauma). There should be no period of complete recovery between illness and death. - 9.6
COVID-19 close contact?
Contact is defined as those:
- Providing direct care for COVID-19 patients, working with health care workers infected with coronavirus, visiting patients, or staying in the same close environment of a COVID-19 patient.
- Working together in close proximity or sharing the same classroom environment with a COVID-19 patient
- Traveling together in close proximity with a COVID-19 patient in any kind of conveyance
- Living in the same household as a COVID-19 patient.
- Having attended a joint event of which patients with COVID-19 have been identified (meetings of different kinds where contact between participants is very likely) within a 14?day period after the onset of symptoms in the case under consideration
- 9.7
What to do if there is a suspect?
- Self-quarantine
- Report 54747, SMS COVID-19 to 1133
- Seek medical attention : call medical personnel 0996002943 (Bunda) and 0996002941 (NRC)
- 9.8
What are the preventive measures for COVID-19?
All students and staff should adhere to the following COVID-19 preventive measures:- Hand washing thoroughly and regularly with soap and water or use of alcohol based hand sanitizer
- Avoid touching the eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands
- Physical distancing of at least one meter
- Cover your nose and mouth with your elbow or a tissue when you cough or sneeze and dispose of the tissue in a bin;
- Stay home if you have flu-like symptoms;
- Avoid overcrowded places;
- Proper use of face masks;
- If you have a fever, cough and difficulty breathing call 54747 or 929 toll free for guidance.
- 9.9
COVID-19 RULES AND REGULATIONS
- A person shall do the following acts in order to prevent the spread of thee corona virus : when in public area, wear a face mask at all times, keep social distance of ate least one meter from another person, wash hands frequently with soap and water or use alcohol based hand sanitizer, when coughing or sneezing, cover nose and mouth with a tissue paper or sneeze into a flexed elbow, avoid handshakes and refrain from touching face, mouth, nose and eyes with unwashed hands
- A person who has symptoms associated with COVID-19 shall self-isolate and as soon as possible get tested for COVID-19 at a designated health facility or a testing center or call toll free line 54747
- A person who is diagnosed with COVID-19 shall follow instructions given to him by the health worker : where ordered to self-isolate remain in isolation for a period of ten days and after the lapse of the isolation period be reviewed by a health worker, where in hospital remain in hospital until discharged, and not go to public place unless certified to be covid-19 negative
- All faculty, staff and students, and their visitors shall be screened before entering the College and University premises.
- Wear masks or face coverings in all public spaces and spaces used by multiple people, this shall include classrooms
- all students and staff will be screened for respiratory symptoms and check temperature before entering the College and University premises
- if symptoms develop stay where you are and contact the health personnel who will provide further instructions leading to investigations and management
- all recreational or sporting activities are suspended
- limit unnecessary travels- stock all groceries and necessities should be readily available within the college and university campuses through the tuck-shops
- ensure that all entry points to the college and university campuses have hygiene equipment. Everyone entering the College and University shall be screened.
- Restaurant and food outlet owners or operators shall ensure that social distance requirements are observed when customers dine on the restaurant and food outlet premises, provide take away and delivery services and operate the restaurant and food outlet between 06.00 a. m and 9.00 pm only
- Bar owners and operators shall observe the following:
- Open their business premises every day from 2pm to 8pm only for take away purchase
- Shall not allow alcohol to be consumed on the premises