A guidance document focusing on enhancing infection prevention and control measures, particularly in optimising biomedical waste management during public health emergencies was jointly unveiled by AIIMS-Delhi and the US Agency for International Development (USAID) on Friday.

This comprehensive document aims to empower secondary and tertiary healthcare facilities across India with the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively respond to such emergencies.

Developed collaboratively by the Department of Hospital Administration at AIIMS New Delhi, the National Health Systems Resource Centre under the Ministry of Health, and USAID India, the guidance document provides up-to-date information and training resources for healthcare workers. It covers various aspects of infection prevention and control, equipping them with the latest tools and technologies to manage biomedical waste and handle public health emergencies more efficiently.

Dr. Atul Gawande, USAID Assistant Administrator for Global Health, highlighted the significance of the guidance in advancing global health security and strengthening the response to emerging health threats. He emphasized USAID’s commitment to partnering with countries like India to enhance healthcare worker capacity and improve emergency response capabilities.

Dr. M Srinivas, Director of AIIMS-Delhi, praised the proactive efforts of the Ministry of Health and USAID in developing and implementing the guidance document. He underscored the importance of such initiatives in bolstering healthcare preparedness and ensuring the well-being of communities.

As part of this initiative, faculty members and nursing officers from 32 medical colleges and AIIMS across 17 states have undergone training, reflecting the collaborative efforts between USAID and AIIMS-Delhi to enhance infection prevention practices and biomedical waste management.

 Dr Vijaydeep Siddharth, the project lead, said, “The significance of the guidance document cannot be overstated. Through meticulously conducted research and rigorous analysis, this document sheds light on various aspects pertaining to infection prevention and control for public health emergencies preparedness and is a synthesis of existing evidence complemented by the lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic.”

 “We dedicate this document to all the healthcare workers committed to providing better patient care and worked tirelessly during the COVID-19 pandemic to save the entire humanity,” Dr Siddharth added.