42 nurses trained in infection prevention & control

PESHAWAR: Up to 42 nurses received training in the Infection Prevention and Control Programme arranged by the Nursing Department, Khyber Teaching Hospital (KTH).

Member Board of Governors (BoG) Dr Nadeem Alam was the chief guest at the certificate distribution ceremony. The training started in January 2019 and continued till October. Around 34 of the nurses who completed the training belonged to Medical Teaching Institute (MTI) KTH whereas two nurses came from Burns and Plastic Centre, two from School of Nursing KTH, one from Hayatabad Medical Complex, Peshawar, one from Mardan Medical Complex, Mardan, one from Khyber Medical University and one from Maternity Hospital Peshawar.

The MTI KTH has its infectious control committee under Prof Dr Hashimuddin Azam Khan, who was the master trainer of the programme. His team comprises of Assist Prof Medicine Dr Awais Naeem, Assist Prof Medicine Dr Hamza Ali Khan and Assist Prof Pathology Dr Asghar whereas Nursing Director Rehmatullah and Nursing Supervisor Asmat Pasha were the facilitators of the programme. Diseases caused by infections are the major reason for disability and death, especially in developing countries.

Collectively infectious diseases exert a tremendous burden not only the healthcare system but the society at large. This burden can be easily reduced by encouraging simple preventive measures both in-home and hospital settings without using a great many resources. The emergence of deadly bugs due to antibiotics resistance is alarming and the topic of concern.

The importance of preventive measures in controlling infectious diseases has been proven in the western world and it can be easily replicated in our society as well, all it requires is focus at the commitment and setting our priorities straight.

It must be emphasised that health care professionals cannot alone succeed in winning the challenge, society must join hands in this effort if we hope to achieve success. This is why infection control and prevention should be the top priority.

In pursuance of this to meet international standards, of infection control and prevention, Khyber Teaching Hospital is striving hard and making progress, to ensure defined policies for the following: hand hygiene, protective equipment, needle stick injuries, waste management, cleaning and disinfection, safe injection, hepatitis B vaccination, immunization, housekeeping precautions as well as infection and sepsis prevention.

Dr Nadeem Alam highlighted the role of the Nursing Profession for better and safe patient care. He urged nurses to focus more on such training and competency development program. The chief guest distributed certificates among the successful candidates and presented a special certificate to programme Coordinator Rehmatullah Nursing Director KTH. KTH BoG is trying to improve the patient care and coming future more specialized nursing staff will be hired to meet the deficiencies of the department.

The Nursing Director KTH Rehmatullah give a brief Orientation of the program and highlight the importance of such training for better nursing practices and patient safety.