Under the auspices of His Excellency the Minister of Health, Dr. Abdullah bin Abdulaziz al-Rabeeah, and the presence of the Vice Minister of Health for Planning and Development, Dr. Mohamed bin Hamzah Khushaim, and the representative of the U.S. Joint Commission International (JCI), Dr. Ashraf Ismael, the Ministry of Health (MOH) held, on Tuesday Morning, the commencement ceremony of the first batch of the Infection Control Diploma Program for the year 1434H at the MOH Grand Auditorium. The batch comprises 51 students.
His Excellency the Vice Minister of Health for Planning and Development, Dr. Mohamed bin Hamzah Khushaim, stated that it pleases the Ministry of Health to witness the commencement ceremony of the first 50-member batch of the Infection Control Diploma, deemed to be the first of its kind across the world in cooperation with the Joint Commission International (JCI). “Infection control is regarded as a serious concern for most hospitals around the world,” said Dr. Khushaim, “given the fact that patients might be suffer from lethal diseases caused by bacterial and microbial infections. It is for this reason that specialists don't spare effort to reduce the potential of wound contamination and bacterial transmission from one to another, as well as avoiding inflammation of venous catheters, and so forth.”
“This batch, Allah willing, will be followed by many other batches, in coordination with JCI,” Dr. Khushaim added. “The educational level of the diploma, both in terms of theoretical knowledge and practical training, is such high that graduates have accumulated all the skills necessary for working at hospitals. It is no secret the practical training at such specialist hospitals, and the work environment by which graduates have been beset, are two reasons why this batch is extraordinarily successful.”
He went on to say, “The Ministry of Health, in cooperation with American hospitals, has managed to attract a constellation of the world's best and most efficient trainers to educate and train students at King Faisal Specialist Hospital in Riyadh and Jeddah, King Fahad Medical City in Riyadh, King Fahad Hospital in Jeddah, and King Fahad Specialist Hospital in Dammam. We have proven able to carry out the program at these hospitals, and distribute graduates on them in the course of duration of the program, under the direct supervision of instructors all through theoretical education and practical training.”
Dr. Khushaim further expounded that “the Ministry, to date, has 15 JCI-accredited hospitals. And we are witnessing today one of the health education days, as we reap the fruits of a year of unremitting training and rehabilitation of a group of workers in the health field, specialized in a rigorous medical domain, with a view to reinforcing the work environment at MOH health facilities with graduates specialized in infection control and prevention of contagious diseases. Developing medical cadres (physicians, pharmacists, and specialists of supportive medical disciplines) stands out as one of the Ministry's top priorites.”
For sake of clarity, he continued, “Such a momentous achievement would have not been accomplished but for the solemn guidance of Allah in the first place, and the generous, ongoing support of the prudent government of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince Salman bin Abdulaziz, and His Royal Highness the Second Deputy Minister, Prince Muqrin bin Abdulaziz, may Allah protect them. All such efforts are exerted in quest for developing the health services provided for all the Kingdom's citizens and residents. The Ministry of Health, making use of this gracious support, is carrying out the greatest building process throughout its history. Underway is the construction and equipping of 138 hospitals, expected to add over 35.000 beds over the few years to come. That is to be added to some 1400 oversees scholarships, and more than 1200 domestic scholarships granted for Saudis. Not to forget over 2000 expatriates granted scholarships at the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties (SCHS), and about 135.000 health workers trained on a yearly basis; all of whom a great deal to the health services.”
Concluding his statement, Dr. Khushaim thanked the JCI for the medical effort it has incurred for the purpose of bringing success to the diploma. He also expressed thanks to SCHS for accrediting the program, as well as al the hospitals taking part in the practical training of graduates, namely: King Faisal Specialist Hospital in Riyadh and Jeddah, King Fahad Medical City in Riyadh, King Fahad Hospital in Jeddah, and King Fahad Specialist Hospital in Dammam.”
For his part, the Deputy Minister for Public Health and Supervisor General of the Infection Control Diploma Program, Dr. Zeyad Memish, was quoted as saying, “The first batch of the Infection Control Diploma is reckoned the firstfruits, to be followed, Allah willing, by successive batches over the upcoming years, aiming to maintain health facilities free from infection and concordant with the internationally approved standards. The main objective of the program is to graduate national, highly qualified medical cadres, who are systematically trained on addressing the medical aspects associated with infection control, in a manner that enables them acquire the skills and capabilities necessary for developing and effecting comprehensive and efficient programs for infection control inside health facilities.”
The Director General of MOH Health Facilities Infection Control, and Director of the Health Infection Diploma Program, Dr. Abdullah bin Mufrih Esseiri, on his part, affirmed that infection control is one of the rare health specialties, being a relatively newly introduced medical field. With the world's increasing concern about the improvement of health services, it has become of crucial importance to qualify medical cadres in infection control, taking into account the role of infection control specialists in ensuring the provision of safe and integrated health services.
Dr. al-Esseiri pointed out that health facilities infection control is one of the pressing issues for the community in general, and health practitioners in particular. The Ministry has already taken the lead of supporting and developing infection control programs. Furthermore, it has been regarded as one of the Ministry's top priorities, and a part of its annual strategy. The Ministry is continuously seeking to satisfy all the requirements for putting into effect such programs. It is a first-of-its-kind program that offers theoretical knowledge and practical training for an academic year, under the supervision of the world's pioneers in the field of infection control from the Joint Commission International (JCI).”
“Prevention and combat of infection inside health facilities require finding and applying effective and advanced training programs for health practitioners, so as to enable them to assume the responsibilities of infection control and prevention inside health facilities,” said Dr. al-Esseiri. “The program has been established in cooperation with the JCI, and fashioned in accordance with the latest and most developed evidence-based medical practices, with the participation of five referential hospitals to host trainees while performing practical training.”
Graduates, on their part, expressed their momentous thrill with the commencement ceremony, and extended deep and sincere thanks to His Excellency the Minister of Health and His Excellency the Vice Minister of Health for Planning and Development. In their word, delivered on their behalf by the specialist of infection control, Dr. Areej al-Shahri, they mentioned that the graduation of the first infection control batch is a stride taken by the Ministry of Health in cooperation with JCI, preceding the rest of the world.
“We have acquired a great deal of knowledge about that rare medical specialty by joining the program,” al-Shahri read. “And we are committed to the medical ethics, from whence we take the first step towards health facilities free from infection.”