Asia Pacific Congress on Infectious Diseases and control begins

Bangalore, Mar 2 (UNI) A three-day Asia Pacific Congress on Infectious Diseases and Infection Control--ACIDIC 2007 began with Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa inaugurating it here today.

More than 150 delegates from Asia-Pacific countries are participating in the Congress organised under the auspices of Narayana Hrudayalaya's Institute of Medical Sciences and Organ Transplantation here.

The papers to be presented and deliberated upon include Ventilator associated Pncumonia, HIV infection-Indian scenario, Tubercular Infection of Heart, Hospital Infection control policies-Money matters, Fungal Infections in Immuno-compromised patients, Infection markers in ICU patients, Viral Hepatitis, Role of accreditation in infection control and patient safety.

Lamenting that problem of infection disease has become a major problem in the country, Mr Yediyurappa, in his inaugural address stressed the need for creating more awareness about Infectious Diseases. "Awareness is needed on infections still rules the world," he said.

Mr Yediyurappa gave an assurance that the Karnataka Government would implement the recommendations of the Congress.

In his message, Narayana Hrudayalaya Institute of Cardiac Sciences Chairman Dr Devi Shetty said, "In the era of multi-drug resistant infections it is of paramount importance that every hospital should have a programme on infection control with proper infection control guidelines. It has been seen that there is a significant decrease in patient morbidity and mortality, hospital stay and cost." UNI