ISLAMABAD (Online): Mr. A.Q Javed Iqbal, Director Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan, said that in Pakistan public health has always been a challenge.
We have to clearly understand our endemic infectious diseases and formulate our own health needs. No other factor in disease control is more important than awareness, followed by intervention.
He was addressing the participants of the 11th Annual Conference on Infectious Diseases organized “new challenges & frontiers in infectious diseases”by Medical Microbiology and Infectious Disease Society of Pakistan (MMIDSP) here on Saturday. A large number of health professionals attended the two-day conference.
A number of scientific and technical sessions were held during the conference.
This big gathering of microbiologists, infectious disease experts, scientists, and young researchers will help to share vital statistics on infectious disease.
He said this was a timely and great service.On behalf of the government of Pakistan, he assured that the health ministry would be supportive and deliberate on suggestions provided by the experts.
Dr. Ejaz Khan, Consultant Pediatrician Shifa International Hospital,President MMIDSP, welcomed the participants and said that the issue of global challenge of antibiotic resistance was monumental, with almost all countries and regions being affected, including Pakistan. “We know very well that ‘antibiotic misuse and overuse’ have contributed tremendously to a major health crisis within Pakistan. Antimicrobial stewardship aims to improve appropriate prescription of antibiotics in all healthcare settings. MMIDSP plans to address ASP at both institutional and community levels by launching an “Antibiotic Stewardship Initiative in Pakistan (ASIP) at this conference by inviting all stakeholders”
Speaking as Keynote speaker on “Antibiotic Stewardship: A new Buzzword and launch of Antibiotic Stewardship Initiative in Pakistan” Dr. Naseem Salahuddin, Consultant Infectious Diseases, Indus Hospital Karachi, and past President MMIDSP), spoke about its aims and objectives. She further said “a task force will be formed with representation from leaders and policy makers of different government and private organizations and recommendations would be presented to decision-making authorities. A declaration will be made after further debate and discussion,” she stated.
The pre-conference four workshops included antibiotic stewardship, pediatric tuberculosis, infection control and scientific manuscript writing.These workshops were a resounding success with more than 300 participants. Moderators and experts conducted these workshops with active participation from the enthusiastic audience.
The participating speakers for the conference were Dr. Altaf Ahmed, Consultant Microbiologist at Indus Hospital Karachi and past president MMIDSP, Dr. Babar Cheema, Pulmonologist and Infectious Disease expert Military Hospital, Rawalpindi, Dr. Ejaz Qadeer, Manager National TB Program, Dr. Amjad, National TB Program, and Dr. Afia Zafar, Consultant Microbiologist at Aga Khan University Hospital Karachi. Sessions with free papers on antimicrobials & resistance, tuberculosis, molecular biology and emerging infections were conducted with more than 500 participants.
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