DMCH joins movement to spread awareness

To commemorate International Infection Prevention Week (IIPW) 2025, Dayanand Medical College and Hospital (DMC&H), Ludhiana, joined the global movement to raise awareness about the importance of infection prevention in healthcare and community settings. This year’s theme, “Stand UPPP (unite, prevent, protect, prevail) for infection prevention,” serves as a powerful reminder that infection prevention is a shared responsibility—one that involves every individual, from healthcare professionals and patients to the wider community.

The Department of Microbiology and the Infection Prevention and Control Committee (IPCC) of DMCH, under the aegis of the Hospital Infection Control Society of India (HICSI) and the North-West Chapter of IAMM, have been celebrating IIPW with great enthusiasm for over a decade. Under the leadership of Dr Veenu Gupta, professor and head, Department of Microbiology, this year’s celebration was marked by a series of impactful, educational and interactive activities designed to enhance awareness and promote best practices in infection prevention and control.

A CME programme titled “Infection control champions: Building a safer healthcare environment together” was organised on October 23. The session was graced by Mukesh Verma, treasurer, DMCH Managing Society, Principal Dr GS Wander and Dr Ashwani K Chaudhary, Medical Superintendent and Chairperson, IPCC, the importance of adhering to infection control protocols in accordance with the NABH guidelines was reiterated.

The CME featured a series of enriching lectures by faculty members, including Dr Sarit Sharma, Dr Vivek Gupta, Dr Veenu Gupta and Dr Gunchan Paul, covering vital topics such as standard precautions, infection bundles (VAP, CAUTI, CLABSI,) surgical site infections, occupational health and post-exposure prophylaxis and antimicrobial stewardship. An educational and entertaining play on the importance of needle stick injury prevention and a dance on hand hygiene was presented by interns and nursing students.

Throughout the week, targeted surveillance activities were conducted daily across high-risk hospital areas by members of the IPCC, in collaboration with dedicated Infection Prevention and Control Nurses (IPCNs).

As part of the initiative, Dr Veenu delivered an insightful lecture to BSc MLT allied health students, emphasising the significance of infection prevention and its direct impact on patient safety and healthcare outcomes.

To mark the culmination of the week-long observance, the Department of Microbiology organised a central session for residents on infection control practices on October 25, chaired by Dr Ashwani Chaudhary and Dr PL Gautam. Additionally, awareness among the MBBS 2024 batch was assessed through engaging them in interactive quizzes, followed by the felicitation of winners.