• Home

Acquired infections pose hazards in GCC region

ABU DHABI — Preparedness and prevention are needed to control increasing hazards posed by acquired infections in the GCC region, a health expert has suggested.

“The growing threat of multiple infections in this region can best be addressed through understanding, preparedness and prevention to ensure maximum control over infections, which patients may acquire during hospitalisation,” said Dr Ziad Memish, Director of GCC Centre for Infection Control.

He mentioned that healthcare-associated infections have been identified as one of the leading causes of premature mortality in some countries whereby over 1.4 million people worldwide are suffering from infections acquired in hospitals.

The issue, which is causing deep concern among policy-makers as well as practitioners will be tackled by experts at the Patient Safety Congress slated for September 2-4 in Abu Dhabi, he said.

The event is supported by UAE Ministry of Health, Health Authority-Abu Dhabi and Dubai Health Authority and has attracted leading companies like Mercer Middle East as sponsor.

The Patient Safety Congress will be held at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre under the chairmanship of Dr Memish.

Commenting on the importance of this congress, Simon Page, Project Director of the Patient Safety Congress said, “Last year, the Patient Safety Congress emerged as an ideal platform for international and regional medical experts to join forces in reducing the global threat of infectious diseases. The 2007 event in Abu Dhabi will not only highlight the importance of patient safety in healthcare practice, but also bring into limelight UAE’s role as the hub of information and best practices for the healthcare industry in the Middle East.”

The congress will address key issues with international perspectives together with the control strategies on antibiotic resistance and regional collaborative approaches on preventing healthcare infections.

The participants will be able to get a closer look at and learn more about addressing safety lapses like needle-stick injury and insufficient hand hygiene during medical treatment, which can potentially result in spread of communicable diseases like HIV and Hepatitis.

• UAE