The Infection Control Africa Network (ICAN) was formed in June, 2008 in Accra, Ghana. The idea for its formation was mooted at the Safety Injection Global Network (SIGN) meeting held in Geneva in October 2007. It is a network of persons working in various aspects of infection prevention & control (IPC) in Africa with an aim to establish support for training, operational research and high standards of healthcare practice in healthcare facilities. It currently has representation from 24 African countries and growing steadily.
It is a network of like minded people working in various aspects of infection prevention & control (IPC) in Africa with an aim to establish support in training, operational research and high standards of healthcare practice in healthcare facilities under one umbrella. Some of us work in Africa yet live abroad; others work and live in Africa, while some Africans work and live abroad but are excited about working in Africa, networking with colleagues in this continent. Currently ICAN has 24 African countries with approximately 110 individual members but once ICAN is established, we hope that many more will join us.
These are, indeed, exciting times. There is a diversity of cultures and traditions which impacts directly or indirectly on IPC practices in Africa. The teaching programmes set up by ICAN will endeavour to take cognisance of these aspects of social life and establish training programmes which will improve standards of IPC both in hospitals and community healthcare facilities. It requires both an understanding of the social conditions and the underlying standards and principles of IPC.
1st IPCAN Conference - 1st African Congress on Infection Prevention Control 2009 21 September 2009 08:00h to 23 September 2009 18:00h Speke Resort, Kampala, Uganda
Yolanda Gouws Universiteit Stellenbosch University PO Box 19063, Tygerberg 7505 Republic of South Africa Telephone: +27 21 938-5054 Facsimile: +27 21 931-5065 E-mail:
Web: www.icanetwork.co.za
Board Members:
Chair: Prof S Mehtar (
Vice Chair & Scientific Committee: Prof O Rasslan (
Secretary: Prof FT Ogunsola (
Treasurer: Dr A Sowande (
Newsletter: Abbie Malambo (
