KARACHI, Nov 14: The Child Aid Association has launched an infection control programme at the National Institute of Child Health to combat the hospital-based bacterial infections by improving the hygienic standards.
The programme has been initiated in the backdrop of the fact that despite considerable increase in the supply of antibiotics to the hospital and provision for specialized tests and procurement of equipment, on behalf of the Child Aid Association, a constant rise in the incidence of bacterial infections among patients was registered.
Investigations on part of the authorities revealed this to be mainly hospital-acquired infections, bacterial in nature. These were simultaneously noticed to be highly resistant to the commonly used antibiotics, enhancing the need for more strong and costly antibiotics.
According to the Association sources, in certain instances laboratory investigations revealed that even antibiotics of highest strains and potency could not really work against the infection.
“Hence under an alarming situation, the CAA has introduced the programme to be continued for a year against an estimated cost of Rs1 million, arranged through a Karachi based philanthropist,” he said.
According to him, special equipment have been provided to the NICH sanitary workers, besides relevant training programme for nurses and paramedical staff.
The training segment of the programme introduced a few months back reveal a marked change in the attitude of the staffers, well conscious of their vulnerability to severe infections besides possibility of infecting the young patients with already weak immunity.
Initial laboratory results show a marked drop in the pathogenic bacteria in all the wards of the NICH as well as drop in the cross infection, the Association sources claimed.
They hoped that the strategy to contain infections would not only save substantial amount for the purchase of antibiotics but also save many lives which were lost due to cross infection. The programme was stated to be the first of its kind introduced in any public hospital.
Gratitude was also expressed for the philanthropists, as without their help over 500 cancer patients and 13534 other poor patients would not have received the desired treatment.
It was mentioned that the Association, during the financial year 2000, provided medicines mainly antibiotics and anti-cancer drugs costing Rs59,75739 against similar drugs worth Rs608,824 in the financial year ending June 2001.—APP