MoHFW and WHO India Conduct Regional Training on Airborne Infection Control for Drug-Resistant TB Centers
Srinagar: The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), Government of India, in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) India, conducted a regional training program for trainers on Airborne Infection Control Measures in institutions with Drug-Resistant TB centers. The program took place in Chandigarh from August 29 to 30, 2024, under the National TB Elimination Programme.
Dr. Harleen Kaur, Member Secretary of the Hospital Infection Control Committee at GMC Jammu, was invited to attend the program along with her team. The training was facilitated by Dr. Malik Parmar, National Program Officer, WHO, who focused on environmental controls for airborne infections. Key topics such as standard precautions, the use of PPE kits, staff capacity development, and monitoring and evaluation were thoroughly discussed.
Dr. Radha Taralekar, WHO National Consultant for TB Prevention, elaborated on various aspects of healthcare worker safety and surveillance. Dr. Anu George, Training Lead at FIND, discussed the cadre-wise roles in airborne infection control and the way forward. Dr. Harleen Kaur presented the various proactive measures adopted in Jammu & Kashmir for the prevention of airborne infections, highlighting the efforts at GMC Jammu and the new GMCs to prevent the spread of emerging and reemerging diseases.
Participants were urged to strengthen their respective areas of work and to train healthcare providers on the critical role of Airborne Infection Control measures in the current scenario, given the rising incidence of drug-resistant tuberculosis and the global threat of emerging and reemerging airborne infectious diseases.
