Aligarh, August 21: Experts delineated various dimensions of healthcare related infections in hospitals, its prevention and control of antimicrobial resistance in a three day XVII annual conference of the Hospital Infection Society-India (HISICON 2021), organised jointly by the Aligarh chapter of the organisation and the Department of Microbiology, JNMCH, Aligarh Muslim University (AMU).
Prior to the annual event, two days preconference CMEs and workshops were also held on digital platform.
Prof Tariq Mansoor, Vice Chancellor, AMU, inaugurated the National conference as Chief Guest and stressed upon the importance of infection prevention particularly during the COVID times.
Presiding over the function, Dr TS Jain, President, Hospital Infection Society-India, said the use of care bundles in hospitals is necessary to ensure consistency in health care protocols. Dr. Raman Sardana, Secretary, Hospital Infection Society-India, highlighted the role of the Hospital Infection Society-India, in developing protocols and guidelines for various healthcare associated infections.
Among the main attraction of the Conference were the two orations; Dr Brahm Prakash Oration by Dr Shashank S Kale (Neurosurgery, AIIMS, New Delhi) and Dr Ajita Mehta Oration by Dr Priya Abraham (Director, National Institute of Virology, Pune).
Prof Rakesh Bhargava, Dean, Faculty of Medicine, JNMCH, AMU said that Hospital-acquired infections add to functional disability and emotional stress of the patient and may, in some cases, lead to disabling conditions that reduce the quality of life. “Nosocomial infections are also one of the leading causes of death. The economic costs are considerable, as the increased length of stay for infected patients is the greatest contributor to cost”, he said.
Prof Shahid Ali Siddiqui, Principal, JNMCH lamented that protocols are in place, that are applicable to all facilities, but attempts should be made to provide rational and attainable recommendations for facilities with relatively limited resources. “The information should assist administrators, infection control personnel, and patient care workers in such facilities in the initial development of a nosocomial infection control programme, including its specific components”, he said. He also applauded the efforts of HISI, Aligarh chapter for the activities in infection prevention and control and in coming out with the guidelines and recommendations from time to time.
Prof Haris M Khan (Organising Chairman) said the conference with the theme “Health Care Associated Infections: Addressing Challenges and Unfolding the solutions” is very useful in current context, which will help in improving learning and teaching process too.
Prof Tamkin Khan (Co-Organising Chairperson) said the problem with healthcare providers is that they suffer from the ‘Semmeweis Reflex’ – after decades of evidence to the contrary they believe in antisepsis and not asepsis. “Simple hand washing–the best method of preventing infections in the healthcare facilities is often not practiced or practiced in the wrong way” she pointed out.
Prof Tamkin added that the onset of COVID would be an opportunity lost if we do not highlight the burden of the problem, the importance of prevention and deliberate upon evidence-based protocols for implementation.
Prof S Moeid Ahmad (Convener) pointed out that Preconference Workshops on seven different health care related topics, the keynote addresses by eminent speakers, the research paper presentation by the young postgraduates, and live interactive session with the faculties in addition to theme based deliberation, were the key highlights of the conference.
Dr Fatima Khan, Organizing Secretary proposed the vote of thanks. “The efforts of consultants, resident doctors and supporting staff of the Department of Microbiology, JNMCH, for the past few months led to the success of the conference”, she said.
Over a period of three days, 109 renowned faculty members from India & abroad delivered informative talks and shared their experiences in medical science with the participants. There were around 17 key notes sessions, 59 symposia sessions and 34 ‘meet the expert’ sessions.
876 delegates participated in 7 workshops held by 50 faculty members belonging to the Elite institutes of Medicine and Hospitals all over India.
Cash prizes were announced for the participants winning in the oral, chaired and E poster presentations and for the winners of the Quiz. As part of HISICON a poetry competition was also held for the school kids for the first time.
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