About SafeHandS

Information, support and practical solutions...

Welcome to SafeHandS! This 'virtual' network is designed to link and support health care workers across the Asia-Pacific region who are caring for people with HIV and other communicable diseases.

_{A group of health workers at the Soviet-Khmer Friendship Hospital in Cambodia learning about health care worker safety} 

Health care workers are essential in responding to HIV and other communicable diseases. Without health care workers, there is no health system. We want this network to provide information, support and practical solutions to help health care workers in resource limited settings to feel safe and encouraged to provide optimal care.

SafeHandS is a forum where health care workers can share issues and ideas. We can encourage and learn from each other to improve health care worker safety.

SafeHandS Phase II 

SafeHandS has a range of new initiatives from 2008–2011. These include a small grants scheme to encourage and support health care worker safety projects; establishing a regional reference group and seeking partnerships with other organisations. Read about Safehands Phase II [pdf 37kb].

Who is Co-ordinating SafeHandS?

The SafeHandS network is coordinated by the Albion Street Centre. This is a public health care facility based in Australia for the treatment, care and support of people living with HIV. The Centre provides a range of services to support a multidisciplinary response to HIV. One of its key functions is to provide an expert advisory service about health care worker safety and infection control for health care workers in Australia and internationally. Other services include: clinical services; education and training programs for health care workers; clinical and behavioural research; international technical assistance and training programs, and an HIV and hepatitis C reference library.

Who is Funding SafeHandS?

SafeHandS is being funded by the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) which manages the Australian Government's official overseas aid program. Funding was initially provided for three years (2005-2007) and has been renewed for 2008-2011. The Albion Street Centre is also providing in-kind support for the network.

What is the Origin of SafeHandS?

The SafeHandS initiative has emerged from a project which developed the Guidance Note on Health Care Worker Safety from HIV and other Blood Borne Infections [pdf 4.38 MB]. This was a project conducted by the Albion Street Centre and partners from the South East Asian region and funded by the World Bank.