Togo: How can we distinguish between hospital practitioners on the basis of their working clothes?

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Extract from the article: Par un arrêté en date du 23 octobre 2024, le ministre de la Santé et de l’Hygiène Publique, Prof. Tchin Darré a instauré un nouveau code vestimentaire harmonisé pour l’ensemble du personnel exerçant dans les formations sanitaires à travers le territo

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In an order dated 23 October 2024, the Minister of Health and Public Hygiene, Prof. Tchin Darré, introduced a new harmonised dress code for all staff working in health facilities throughout Togo. According to the Minister, the new regulations aim to improve hygiene and safety standards, and apply to all health professionals in direct contact with patients or their environment.

The new provisions, applicable to all staff in direct contact with patients or their environment in health facilities, are aimed in particular at harmonising the dress code. This will make it easier to identify the various parties involved, thereby avoiding confusion about their functions and qualifications.

Specific clothing for each category of staff

Each socio-professional category will now be identified by a specific uniform, in accordance with the provisions of this order. The new dress code is as follows:

Doctors, dental surgeons and pharmacists: long white coats covering the knees or tunic ensembles.

Paramedics (nurses, care assistants, etc.): green outfits.

Rehabilitation professionals (physiotherapists, speech therapists, etc.): grey outfits.

Nurses: combined white and blue outfits.

Midwives and birth attendants: pink, striped or plain outfits.

Technical and support staff (nurses, surface technicians, etc.): purple outfits.

 Administrative staff: beige outfits.

 Mortuary staff: khaki outfits.

“Students and trainees in training will adopt the same dress code as the professional body to which they are expected to belong at the end of their training”, explained Minister Tchin Darre, adding that “ trainees in midwifery and nursing schools will keep their current training uniforms ”.

Reinforcement of health and safety standards

In addition to this dress differentiation, the code stresses the importance of personal protective equipment (PPE). Where there is a risk of splashing blood or biological fluids, additional protection such as gowns and overshoes will be compulsory. Staff must also wear closed, non-slip shoes that are easy to clean, to ensure both comfort and safety at work.

Staff identification and traceability

Another major innovation in this decree is the clear identification of staff. From now on, all healthcare workers will have to wear their name, professional title and qualification clearly visible on their uniform. The aim of this measure is to ensure greater transparency and facilitate the traceability of medical acts in hospitals. “The aim of this measure is to enhance the transparency and traceability of medical acts, by making each healthcare professional easily identifiable", explained Prof. Darré.

Adaptation period and penalties

Healthcare establishments now have six months to comply with the new directives.The Minister also warned that the wearing of these outfits outside health establishments is strictly forbidden, except in out-of-hospital emergency situations. “Any failure to comply with the provisions of this order will be punished in accordance with the legislation in force", warned Prof. Darré, stressing the importance of these measures to avoid any confusion within hospitals.

In particular, the new code will make it possible to clearly distinguish the roles of each professional and combat malpractice, such as staff pretending to be doctors or unqualified personnel assuming medical responsibilities.

Objectives of the new dress code

The main aims of the new dress code are to clarify the roles and responsibilities of each professional within hospitals; to improve hygiene and safety in health facilities; to improve the quality of care by quickly and easily identifying each person involved; and to combat malpractice, in particular by preventing unqualified staff from passing themselves off as specialist health professionals.

This new dress code marks an important step in the modernisation of the health sector in Togo, while guaranteeing a safer and more transparent working environment for professionals and patients alike.

Elom AKAKPO