An advanced training course in infection prevention and control concluded today (Thursday) under the auspices Dr. Amal Al-Maani, MOH Director General of Disease Control and Surveillance at the Hilton Garden Inn Muscat.

The two-week course was organized by the Ministry of Health (MOH), represented by the Department of Infection Prevention and Control at the Directorate General of Disease Surveillance and Control in cooperation with the Omani LNG Development Corporation, which the Department is implemented with the Infection Control of African Network (ICAN).

The course gathered (25) healthcare practitioners (doctors and nurses) in the field of infection prevention and control from various governorates of the Sultanate of Oman, during the course they received lectures and practical training on aspects of infection prevention and control program in healthcare institutions.

An analysis was also included to match international standards with current practices through working groups and discussion sessions between participants from the African Network and the Central Department for Prevention and Infection Control.

Dr. Abdullah Al-Qayoudi, Director of the Infection Prevention and Control Department highlighted the national program for infection prevention and control, the training aspect for healthcare workers specialized in this field, with a focus on the experience of the current training course from planning to implementation. He also reviewed the stages that the course went through since the first day and the accompanying introduction to the participants of the workshop themes.

Dr. Abdullah Al-Qayoudi explained that healthcare associated infection especially deadly microbes that are resistant to antibiotics, requires activating infection prevention and control programs in all healthcare setting and providing them with qualified leadership to deal with developments in this field and develop policies that ensure safety for patients and health workers from spread of infection and what may result from it.

As well as qualifying infection prevention and control practitioner to obtain the international accreditation certificate (CBIC) and other goals that enable workers to learn the best safe practices to reduce the risks of infection acquired in health institutions.

The training program aimed to enhance the knowledge and skills of infection prevention and control practitioner with developments in scientific evidence and practices in aspects of hygiene and sterilization at the level of individuals, the environment, tools and devices in healthcare institutions.

It is worth mentioning that the course is the second version of the joint cooperation with the Infection Control of African Network (ICAN) as part of the plan to train more specialists in the coming stages as directed by the Ministry of Health, represented by the Directorate General of Disease Control and Surveillance, to enhance human capacities to carry out their roles within the vital security system of the Omani society. The training of Omani specialists comes in the field of infection prevention and control is one of its top priorities within the framework of a comprehensive public health preparedness and emergency preparedness strategy.