Infection Control Society Pakistan » Announcements

STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT ON GLOBAL HEALTH INITIATIVE

Nadir — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 05:47:57 +0000

THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secrectary
_________________________________________________
For Immediate Release May 5, 2009

STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT ON GLOBAL HEALTH INITIATIVE

In the 21st century, disease flows freely across borders and oceans, and, in recent days, the 2009 H1N1 virus has reminded us of the urgent need for action. We cannot wall ourselves off from the world and hope for the best, nor ignore the public health challenges beyond our borders. An outbreak in Indonesia can reach Indiana within days, and public health crises abroad can cause widespread suffering, conflict, and economic contraction. That is why I am asking Congress to approve my Fiscal Year 2010 Budget request of $8.6 billion — and $63 billion over six years — to shape a new, comprehensive global health strategy. We cannot simply confront individual preventable illnesses in isolation. The world is interconnected, and that demands an integrated approach to global health.

As a U.S. Senator, I joined a bipartisan majority in supporting the Bush Administration’s effective President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). That plan has provided lifesaving medicines and prevention efforts to millions of people living in some of the world’s most extreme conditions. Last summer, the Congress approved the Lantos-Hyde US Global Leadership Against HIV/AIDS Act — legislation that I was proud to cosponsor as a U.S. Senator and now carry out as President. But I also recognize that we will not be successful in our efforts to end deaths from AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis unless we do more to improve health systems around the world, focus our efforts on child and maternal health, and ensure that best practices drive the funding for these programs.

My budget makes critical investments in a new, comprehensive global health strategy. We support the promise of PEPFAR while increasing and enhancing our efforts to combat diseases that claim the lives of 26,000 children each day. We cannot fix every problem. But we have a responsibility to protect the health of our people, while saving lives, reducing suffering, and supporting the health and dignity of people everywhere. America can make a significant difference in meeting these challenges, and that is why my Administration is committed to act.

FACT SHEET: American Leadership on Global Health

President Obama believes that it is in keeping with America’s values and our history of compassion to lead an effort to solve some of the most serious problems facing the world’s poorest people. Already, American leadership, sparked in large part by President George W. Bush and a bipartisan majority in Congress, has helped to save millions of lives from HIV/AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis. Yet, even with that monumental progress, 26,000 children around the world die every day from extreme poverty and preventable diseases.

In response, the President’s 2010 Budget begins to focus attention on broader global health challenges, including child and maternal health, family planning, and neglected tropical diseases, with cost effective intervention. It also provides robust funding for HIV/AIDS. The initiative adopts a more integrated approach to fighting diseases, improving health, and strengthening health systems.

The U.S. global health investment is an important component of the national security “smart power” strategy, where the power of America’s development tools — especially proven, cost-effective health care initiatives — can build the capacity of government institutions and reduce the risk of conflict before it gathers strength. In addition, the Administration’s funding plan can leverage support from other nations and multilateral partners so that the world can come closer to achieving the health Millennium Development Goals. Discussions are underway with the G-8 partners on fulfilling all of the commitments. This comprehensive global health approach can yield significant returns by investing in efforts to:

Prevent millions of new HIV infections;
Reduce mortality of mothers and children under five, saving millions of lives;
Avert millions of unintended pregnancies; and
Eliminate some neglected tropical diseases.

To reach these goals, the Budget invests $63 billion cumulatively over six years (2009-2014) for global health programs. PEPFAR (the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief) will constitute more than 70 percent of global health funding.

GLOBAL HEALTH FUNDING (2009 TO 2014)

($ in billions)	FY 2009 Enacted	FY 2010 Budget	Change FY10 from FY09	Six-Year Total (FY09 – FY14)
PEPFAR (Global HIV/AIDS & TB)	$6.490	$6.655	+$.165
Malaria	$.561	$.762	+$.201
PEPFAR & Malaria Subtotal	$7.051	$7.417	+$.366	$51
Global Health Priorities Subtotal	$1.135	$1.228	+$.093	$12
GLOBAL HEALTH INITIATIVE TOTAL	$8.186	$8.645	+$.459	$63

Moving forward, the Obama Administration will work with key stakeholders to deliver new congressionally mandated strategic plans for HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria. These plans will be coordinated as part of the comprehensive global health strategy to identify specific initiatives, quantitative goals, and appropriate funding levels beginning in 2011.

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CHARTER OF DEMAND OF INFECTION CONTROL SOCIETY PAKISTAN

Nadir — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 11:58:54 +0000

It is important for the public to know about the dangers of the misuse and abuse of antibiotics and their own role in it.

Salient features.

Please consider the following:

v Do not take an antibiotic if it can be avoided.

v Do not buy an antibiotic over the counter at a pharmacy without consulting a doctor or without a valid prescription from a qualified and licensed doctor.

v Do not visit an unqualified doctor just because:

i. He or she claims immediate cure from all ailments,

ii. Is easily accessible and

iii. Charges less.

v Do not use medicines left over from a previous episode of illness just because it worked the last time.

v Do not give medicines to another person for what seems to be a similar illness to yours.

v The same medicine may not help all ailments in all people the same way.

v Antibiotics save lives ONLY if bugs are SENSITIVE & become USELESS if organisms are RESISTANT

v Do not waste your treasure medicines (antimicrobial agents) for petty, self limiting diseases. Take an antibiotic only when considered necessary by a qualified medical practitioner.

v When an antibiotic is prescribed take antibiotics on time, in full doses, for the duration advised by your doctor.

v Get vaccinated against preventable diseases.

v Follow healthy and hygienic life style to prevent infections:

i. Wash hands with soap and water

ii. Use safe drinking water and food

iii. Dispose garbage properly

v Never self medicate, get medicines from a reliable source, from stores which keep medicines according to instructions in cool, dry place and away from light if required.

Request to Government of Pakistan:

v Make laws to regulate sale of medicines.

v No antibiotics to be sold without prescription of qualified licensed practitioners.

v Antimicrobials should only be sold in full/complete doses. Incomplete doses, one or two tablets should not be dispensed.

Government should make it mandatory to print following message on packets and strips of antimicrobial drugs:

“These medicines can only be used on advice of a licensed medical practitioner. Use exactly as advised by your doctor. Do not stop it without asking your doctor”.

v All major hospitals may be required to report antimicrobial sensitivity data to some authority like Infection Control Society/Department which should publish/share updates regularly for surveillance purpose.

v Hospitals be required to have a documented antibiotic policy and dispense medicines according to the policy.

v Hospital waste must be disposed properly to prevent recirculation of resistant organisms in the facility and community

Request to Medical Societies/ Associations:

v Please join hands for Advocacy to make sure that proper laws are promulgated and implemented.

Request to Pharmaceutical Industry:

Do not promote and recommend the use of antimicrobial drugs effective against resistant bacteria, viruses, protozoa and fungi for infections that can be treated by the first line drugs.
Do not allow sale of your antimicrobials through stores which are not operated by qualified pharmacist.
Do not promote use of antibiotics for self limiting viral infections or conditions which can be treated by topical applications.

“Invest in Prevention and Protection of Health to avert Debts and disasters”

Nadir — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 19:15:06 +0000

INFECTION CONTROL SOCIETY PAKISTAN

We are cordially inviting

YOU OR YOUR REPRESENTATIVES

to a Press Conference on the event of

World Health Day 2011:

Changing Roles & Responsibilities

Are We Ready to Prevent Antibiotics Resistance?

Venue: Karachi Press Club

Date: April 06, 2011 Time : 3.00-4.00pm
Speakers Panel:

Dr. Rafiq Khanani, Dr. Hasan Nawab, Dr. Khursheed Hashmi, Dr. Saeed Abbasi

Questions: Journalists, Professionals
D-31, Al-Hilal Cooperative Housing Society, University Road, Karachi, Pakistan. Telephone: 34946447

Introducing Jahan-e-Sehat Online!

Nadir — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 16:00:29 +0000

Now you can read the monthly publication ‘Jahan-e-Sehat’ by the Infection Control Society Pakistan online. Click here to go the ICSP Publications Website.

Tenth Congress of the Interenational Federation of Infection Control

Nadir — Thu, 21 May 2009 14:00:57 +0000

The Tenth Congress of the International Federation of Infection Control will be held in Vilnius, Lithuania between the 8 and 11 October 2009. Details of the event can be found here.

Welcome to ICSP!

Nadir — Thu, 14 May 2009 08:23:35 +0000

Welcome to the web site of the Infection Control Society Pakistan (ICSP). ICSP is a body representing specialist practitioners in infection control. It is the first organization in Pakistan, which seek to work with government, professional Associations/Colleges and industry, to educate health practitioners as well as the public about infection control principles and procedures.

Our organization is committed to developing and setting standards for infection control throughout Pakistan. As a scientific organization we firmly believe in continuous research and development to address infection risks, particularly those associated with health care. Since the inception of ICSP, it has helped in setting infection management and prevention procedures in many health care institutions throughout Pakistan.

ICSP seeks to apply the philosophy of total quality management throughout the whole spectrum of our society. Our projects for promoting infection control principles throughout Pakistan’s health care system, symbolizes a continuous effort for the improvement of basic health and better understanding of infections in the society. It is our firm belief that infection control policies within health care settings and communities can provide cost relief to our already burdened health care system and poverty stricken public.

Swine Flu Resources

Nadir — Sun, 10 May 2009 14:01:47 +0000

You can learn more about the H1N1 flu, more commonly known as swine flu, from the following resources-

The Lancet H1N1 Flu Resource Center
CDC H1N1 Flu Website
Questions and Answers about H1N1 – World Bank
Swine influenza A (H1N1) Outbreak in US & Mexico: Potential for a Pandemic – Lecture by Rashid A. Chotani, MD, MPH, DTM, Adjunct Assistant Professor, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (HSUHS)
The Flu and How to Avoid it – UPMC

Press Release – Karachi – April 6, 2009

Nadir — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 17:04:29 +0000

Like previous years, Infection Control Society Pakistan (ICSP) has planned a three day program to commemorate the ‘World Health Day’ 2009. This program is being organized in collaboration with The Dow University of Health Sciences (DUHS) and Karachi Press Club (KPC), in the premises of Karachi Press Club.

The first program was a free Hepatitis B and C screening camp held at KPC.

Dr.Majeed Chotto, program manager Hepatitis Control Program Sindh, addressing the inauguration of the camp said that it is very encouraging to see institutions like Karachi Press Club and organizations like Infection control Society Pakistan working hand in hand for the important cause of disease prevention.

He informed the audience that this program was Chief Ministers’ initiative for Hepatitis Free Sindh. He said that MOUs have been signed with the Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi and Liaqat University of Health and Medical Sciences, Jamshoro for providing PCR test for Hepatitis B and C patients. He said that Jail inmates are also being screened for Hepatitis B and C under this program. Facilities for diagnosis and treatment of hepatitis B and C, including Interferon, are being provided free of cost. He informed that up to now 2000 jail inmates and 2000 persons from the general population have been provided PCR test. Hepatitis Control Program Sindh is paying Rs.1800/- for each test to the collaborating universities.

Dr.Syed Ali Anjum, deputy program manager, Hepatitis Control Program Sindh, said that journalists are a very important and responsible community of the society and it is commendable that KPC and ICSP have joined hands in this noble cause of public health importance.

Press Release – Karachi – April 05, 2009

Nadir — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 16:52:41 +0000

The first program was a free Hepatitis B and C screening camp held at KPC.

Mr. A.H.Khanzada said that it is heartening to see that this activity is being held at KPC. He said that journalists are a very important and responsible community of the society and it is commendable that KPC has collaborated in this noble cause of Public Health importance.

Mr.Wajid Ali of ICSP said Hepatitis B and C is increasing day by day. These diseases are usually diagnosed very late when a lot of damage to liver has already occurred. That is why ICSP advocates for prevention and early diagnosis of Hepatitis and other infectious diseases. Since Hepatitis B is incurable and the treatment of Hepatitis C is very long, expensive and not very successful, it is very important that these diseases are diagnosed early and that is the main purpose of holding this free screening camp.

Professor Masood Hameed Khan, Vice Chancellor Dow University of Health Sciences in his address said that Pakistan is among those countries where Hepatitis B and C are prevalent at a high rate. This is so because we have not been able to control the various factors responsible for spread of these infectious diseases. He said that for the diagnosis and treatment of one hepatitis C patient more than one lac rupees are needed. Considering the seriousness and economic loss due to this disease we must eliminate the factor responsible i.e. unsafe blood transfusion, IV drug abuse, lack of infection control in health care. He lauded the efforts of ICSP and KPC for fulfilling their responsibility in the prevention of such diseases.

Hepatitis Screening Camp

Nadir — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 16:48:19 +0000

Pictures from the Hepatitis Screening Camp held on April 5, 2009-