CARE Hospitals Hosts 12th National IPC Program to Boost Infection Prevention Practices

Hyderabad: CARE Hospitals, Nampally, hosted the 12th National Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Certificate Program at Hampshire Plaza Hotel, Hyderabad, on November 22-23.

The program, held in collaboration with the International Federation of Infection Control (IFIC), aimed to raise awareness among healthcare providers about hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) and emphasize the importance of infection control practices to enhance patient safety.

Inaugurating the program, Dr K. Hari Prasad, Group Chairman & Non-Executive Director, CARE Hospitals, stated, “Infection prevention and control is not just a set of procedures but a culture that must be embedded within every healthcare facility. Healthcare workers, irrespective of their roles, should have a basic understanding of IPC principles and practices. This knowledge is essential to prevent the spread of infections and safeguard not only patients but also healthcare staff and the broader community. Programs like this serve as an ideal platform to discuss and propagate these critical practices.”

The event was attended by over 150 delegates, including clinicians, microbiologists, nursing staff, infection control practitioners, and administrators from across India. The program included workshops, panel discussions, and interactive sessions led by eminent healthcare leaders and infection control specialists.

The speakers included Dr Sami, Chief Operating Officer of CARE Hospitals, who remarked, “At CARE Hospitals, patient safety and healthcare excellence are the cornerstones of our mission. By equipping healthcare professionals with advanced knowledge and best practices in infection prevention, we aim to minimize risks and foster safer environments for everyone. This program exemplifies our commitment to empowering healthcare teams with essential tools and strategies.”

Dr Mustafa Afzal, Consultant - Clinical Microbiology and IPC Program Director, CARE Hospitals, emphasized the significance of innovation in infection prevention. He said, “Infection control is pivotal in modern healthcare. The learnings from this program enable healthcare professionals to adopt cutting-edge practices and collaborate to set new benchmarks in patient care and safety. By combining evidence-based strategies with innovative solutions, we can reduce the burden of HAIs significantly.”

Mr Rajeev Chourey, Group Vice President of Quality, Operations & ESG, highlighted the program’s alignment with CARE Hospitals’ commitment to quality improvement. “We continuously strive to enhance healthcare standards by integrating sustainable practices with quality care. This IPC program reflects our dedication to fostering a culture of safety and innovation across our network.”

The program also saw key contributions from Dr Ranga Reddy, President of IFCAI, who provided insights into global infection control challenges and strategies, and Dr Vincy Ashok Tribhavan, Vice President of Nursing Administration, who highlighted the critical role of nursing teams in implementing IPC measures effectively.