IFHE NEWS International COVID initiatives discussed
IFHE’s Executive Committee or ‘Exco’ continues to meet bi-monthly via video during these troubling times, writes the Federation’s Joint General Secretary, Andy Wavell.
Among the main focuses have been how the organisation can help during the COVID-19 crisis, support for Italy in rescheduling the 2020 Congress, future event programming, and the introduction of an Energy Award Programme. Many of the Exco attended a World Health Organization webinar where the need for design teams to help the WHO provide COVID units in areas of the world without the resource to provide the design capability was highlighted. It was agreed that Walt Vernon would lead the IFHE bid to find teams of engineers and architects who could do this. Through his work, 13 teams from America, two from Mexico, and a group from Japan, have been put together to help the WHO. At present three projects have been designed, one in Burkina Faso and two in Brazil. Through work undertaken by Douwe Kiestra, a European meeting was arranged to gain design groups based in Europe. Although Exco members have only been involved in a few projects, WHO continues to advise Walt Vernon of more in the pipeline.
videostreamed for those unable to attend due to the continued COVID-19 pandemic.
As applies to those currently held by many organisations globally, WHO meetings normally held in Geneva have transferred to ‘the virtual world’, and the IFHE nominated representatives have attended, although due to bureaucracy at the latest meeting, little was accomplished. It is hoped that the next meeting, with the WHO’s Executive Board, will prove more fruitful, as it may be possible to make a presentation. Exco is pleased that, at last, WHO recognises the benefit of an alliance with IFHE as an organisation that it can turn to in times of crisis. Little has changed with the arrangements for a rescheduled Congress in Rome, other than looking at the possibility of having a mixed event, part attendance in person, and part
Further call for IFHE Digest 2021 synopses The closing date for synopses for the
IFHE Digest 2021 was 3 June, but, reports Andy Wavell, the Federation’s Joint General Secretary, no articles had been received at that point, despite several reminders sent to all member organisations. He said: “As the COVID-19 pandemic becomes more widespread, it is obvious that members working in hospitals and other healthcare facilities
have their hands full. However, by the end of June I had received over 20 synopses, many addressing different areas of the pandemic. The topics covered include how the global health service will have to adapt to be prepared for a future pandemic, what has been undertaken on site to prepare for the current crisis, and how ‘portable’ buildings can be constructed as COVID units to house patients in environments
An important part of the Congress would be the selection of the host country for the 2024 Congress. As this process is unlikely to occur until January 2021, Exco has taken the decision to allow member organisations to vote electronically, thereby giving the successful applicant the maximum possible time to organise its event. Problems associated with the pandemic could also affect future planned events, and Exco has discussed contingency plans in the event of further delay to the rescheduled Rome Congress.
Exco members have also given updates on the situation with COVID-19 in their respective countries. The Executive Committee met again in early July, when it was reported that the WHO had requested IFHE’s further help in the design of COVID units, and for specific input on the ventilation requirements for such facilities. Members also heard that it is expected that a decision on the current SIAIS-organised Rome Congress, currently scheduled for January 2021, will be announced this month (August).
that are safe for both patients and staff. I am sure there will be more to come on this subject, especially from an engineering perspective. By mid-July, over 30 synopses had been received." If you are reading this update on the 2021 Digest, and have an engineering article for consideration, please submit a synopsis as soon as possible to
editorial@ifhe.com or
timprobert@stepcomms.com
An informed South American view on the pandemic On 24 June, in striving
to make its own useful contribution to the worldwide struggle against the coronavirus pandemic, Argentina’s Asociacíon Argentina de Arquitectura e Ingeniería Hospitalaria (AADAIH) launched its annual publication, Anuario AADAIH, published in digital format.
It incorporates research
and ‘collaborations’ from many of the Latin American healthcare engineering associations, and ‘directly involved’ professionals from different regions and countries, as well as a compendium of useful guidelines and recommendations from international organisations, institutes, and universities. The collation and production of Anuario
2020 was coordinated by IFHE Past- President, Arch. Liliana Font. Lavishly illustrated with colour photos, charts, diagrams, and architectural plans, the new publication focuses principally on the South American response to the pandemic, with many fascinating and well-written articles from architects and engineers looking at some of the imaginative designs and approaches that have been, and continue to be, deployed. It is downloadable from the Association’s website, at
https://www.aadaih.org.ar
August 2020 Health Estate Journal 17
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