Ho, ho, ho! Gather around, my little elves, for a tale not of the North Pole, but of a place far from our snowy workshop. In the sunny lands of The Gambia, a story unfolds in the bustling halls of a hospital, where the battle isn’t against the cold, but against unseen foes—germs and pathogens that threaten the tiniest of humans in the newborn unit.

In this tale, our heroes, armed with mops and buckets instead of sleighs and reindeer, embarked on a quest to vanquish these invisible enemies. They were guided by a magical scroll known as the TEACH CLEAN programme, designed to teach the art of effective surface cleaning. This wasn’t just any old cleaning—it was a special training meant for the trainers, a beacon of hope to ensure every corner, nook, and cranny was as clean as the fresh snow on Christmas morning.

Our story takes place over two chapters: before the intervention (July to September 2021) and after the intervention (October to December 2021). The elves of science, with their clipboards and swabs, ventured into the newborn unit and the labour ward, collecting samples to see if the magic of the TEACH CLEAN programme had worked its wonders.

But, oh dear, not all tales have the merry ending we wish for. Despite the best efforts of our cleaning heroes, the results were more coal than present. The surfaces, much like the ice on a warm winter’s day, remained contaminated. It seemed that even with improved cleaning standards, crucial techniques like using fresh cleaning cloths and the one-swipe method were lost in translation, much like trying to fit a square present into a round stocking.

Interviews with the wise elders of the hospital—senior staff and management—revealed a sleigh-full of challenges. From the pandemic named COVID-19, which has been naughtier than the Grinch, to understaffing, water supply disruptions, and shortages of cleaning materials, it was clear that the hospital faced hurdles higher than the North Pole’s snowdrifts.

So, what can we learn from this yuletide tale? Keeping a hospital clean, especially in a land with limited resources, is as crucial as leaving out cookies and milk for Santa. Yet, despite the noble efforts and the magic of training, external challenges can dampen even the brightest of spirits. It’s a reminder that to truly make a hospital sparkle, it takes more than training—it takes addressing the systemic challenges that stand in the way.

As we close the book on this story, let’s not forget the importance of perseverance, hope, and the need to continue working towards a world where every hospital, no matter how far from the North Pole, can be a safe haven for its smallest patients. And with that, my dear elves, let’s get back to our workshop, for we have toys to make and joy to spread. Merry cleaning, and to all a good night!