people and events The Healthcare Cleaning Forum 2020
The Healthcare Forum (HCF) will return to the Interclean Amsterdam 2020 exhibition in the Netherlands from 12–15 May. The forum is all about embracing the shift that is happening in healthcare environmental hygiene, and staying ahead of the market. Pathogens in the patient environment are now recognised as a major source of healthcareassociated infections. Academics have also been able to confirm that improving the patient environment lowers these infection rates and saves lives. We are addressing this on diverse fronts: by driving forward the academic research, championing technical innovations, adapting solutions
to real-life contexts and changing how we think about the workforce. It’s important to combine the knowledge in healthcare institutions, industry and academia if we want to make a real difference on the front lines. In terms of the practical sessions, the forum will offer a range of useful ‘how to’ demonstrations in areas such as instrument sterilisation and waste management. There will also be an opportunity to learn how water and air quality affect hospital environments and patient outcomes. Attendees are guaranteed to come away with plenty of ideas on how to improve healthcare cleaning and infection prevention across their facilities.
Returning to the HCF to share his knowledge will be Dr Didier Pittet, Professor of Medicine and Hospital Epidemiology at the University of Geneva Hospital in Switzerland. Among others, Alexandra Peters of the Infection Control Programme at the University of Geneva Hospital and Dr Pierre Parneix, Doctor of Public Health and Hospital Hygiene at Bordeaux Hospital University Centre will be joining the forum. For more information about visiting the Interclean Amsterdam 2020 show as part of the African delegation e-mail: Steve Braham at steve@swbagencies.co.za
Industry loss – Numatic SA GM Numatic International South Africa General Manager Dewald Botha passed away in December 2019 at the age of 42. Dewald joined the commercial cleaning equipment company in 1997 as warehouse manager and was appointed as general manager in January 2002. His intense enthusiasm and dedication over the past 23 years at Numatic International South Africa merited him not only with a reputation as a progressive leader, but he was
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also held in the highest esteem by clients, colleagues and friends. Dewald always exuded a quiet confidence, his contributions were powerful and his work ethic more than remarkable. He performed his duties with insight, passion, energy, integrity, humility and a charming personality. Dewald will be remembered as a family man with a passion for the outdoors, a noble friend and colleague to many. Dewald is survived by his wife Janine and son Ryan.
