Hundreds of delegates are to attend the 4th Annual Meeting of the GCC Centre for Infection Control, and Society of Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA)/Centres for Diseases Control (CDC) training course, being held for the first time in Qatar from November 9-13. The theme of the meeting is ‘Global Challenges and Local Realities’ and that of the course is ‘Health Care Epidemiology.’ The events, organised by Hamad Medical Corporation, are under the patronage of Qatar’s Supreme Council of Health. “We are bringing together experts from SHEA, CDC, Joint Commission International, WHO, University of Geneva, Hanover Medical School, University of Heidelberg, the Examining Board for the DipHIC, UK, Gulf Centre for Infection Control at King Abdul-Aziz Medical City, Riyadh, Department of Medical Education at HMC and Public Health Department at the Ministry of Health, Qatar,” conference chairman Dr Mamoun Elsheikh said yesterday. “If nearly 500 participants are expected for the annual meeting, being held at the Ritz on November 9-10, about 300 are scheduled to attend the training course from November 11-13 at Hamad Medical Corporation’s Hajar Auditorium,” organising committee member Dr Issam Khafaja explained. More than 20 speakers from across the world are to address the conference and the training course. The conference is to begin with a plenary session of Influenza A (H1N1) and Haj, given the topical relevance. “Global epidemiology of H1N1, epidemiology in Qatar, and the scenario in Oman are among the topics to be discussed at this session,” Dr Elsheikh stated. Dr Elsheikh, also assistant executive director of the Infection Control Programme at HMC, pointed out that the conference will have significant impact as it will showcase the latest scientific technologies used in the field infection control. “HMC’s infection control programme is in line with the latest international standards and is one of the best in the region, now measuring zero, which was expected by WHO to be reached only by 2012,” he stated while stressing the significant progress made in this regard. Referring to the relevance of the conference and the training course, he pointed out that infection prevention and control has experienced exponential development over recent years, to become in a very short time an exact clinical science of its own. “However, despite this tremendous achievement, there have been challenges like re- emerging and newly emerging infectious diseases, the alarming increase in antimicrobial resistance and devastating natural disasters with serious and tragic impacts, indicating that the battle between humans and infectious diseases might never end,” Dr Elsheikh maintained. The conference also aims at promoting therapeutic and preventive services as well as providing continuous training in the health sector. “This is to realise HMC’s vision to be an internationally recognised centre for health care excellence, in line with the directives of HH the Emir, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, and to ensure the country’s high ranking in the field of healthcare services,” said senior infection control co-ordinator Dr Moza Alishaa. http://www.gulf-times.com/site/topics/article.asp?cu_no=2&item_no=322646&version=1&template_id=36&parent_id=16

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