MUSCAT: Infection Prevention and Control Training Course ran by the Ministry of Health (MoH) represented by the Department of Infection Prevention & Control of the Directorate General of Disease Surveillance and Control (DGDSC) in collaboration with the Infection Control Africa Network (ICAN) commenced on Sunday.
Dr Saif al Abri, Director General for Disease Surveillance and Control. Presided over the opening of the two-week course that includes theoretical and on-hands training on the IPC advanced skills to obtain the Certification in Infection Prevention and Control (CIC).
As part of a comprehensive preparedness and response for public health emergencies strategy, the DGDSC’s has put the training of national cadres in the field of infection prevention and control one of its top priorities. The DG cooperated in past years with international expertise such as the Joint Commission International (JCI), and currently with the ICAN to train infection prevention and control health workers on the advanced skills and international standards required to establish, implement, and follow up IPC programmes on health institutions and services at the Governorates level as well the national programme.
This two-week training is conducted with aim of developing internationally certified national outputs with various global experience and qualifications. National leadership and trainers in this vital area will be built up, reinforcing therefore the quality and sustainability of the programme within the Sultanate of Oman, in addition to promoting regional and international participation.
The training course will cover updated theoretical knowledge and needed skills in IPC according to the global standards and International Health Regulations (IHR). Moreover, workshops and visits to health institutions will be conducted to learn the best safe practices in reducing healthcare-associated infections, infection risks notification mechanisms, in addition to preparing specialists responsible for training other health workers in the health care.
The DGDCS has managed to include 25 IPC health workers and practitioners in its first edition from various primary and specialised healthcare institutions across the Sultanate of Oman.
The ICAN is one of the largest Infection Prevention and Control organisations in the world that has been supporting the education and training of IPC professionals across Africa and in a number of regions including the Middle Eastern countries.
