The 9^th International Congress of the Asia Pacific Society of Infection Control (APSIC 2019) is taking place at the Da Nang- based Ariyana Convention Centre until 22 March.

Participants at the ongoing APSIC 2019 (Source: Internet)

Hosted by the Ho Chi Minh City Infection Control Society, the event, which is the first of its kind in Viet Nam, is seeing the participation of around 1,500 delegates from 31countries in the Asia-Pacific region.

APSIC 2019 is expected to be a good opportunity for Viet Nam to affirm its position on infection control activities in the world.

This year’s event features a plenary session, 39 small sessions along with 117 scientific reports, and 8 presentations.

All of them focus on 4 main topics about healthcare-associated infections/emerging infectious diseases/antibiotic resistance/antimicrobial stewardship programme, disinfection/sterilisation/central sterile services department/environment, hand hygiene/measures to prevent and control infection, and special issues in Infection control/ occupational health.

The biennial event aims to create a forum for specialists, doctors, and researchers to exchange and update their knowledge relating to infection control in the region, and the world as a whole.

In the framework of the ongoing APSIC 2019, the Viet Nam BD Pharmaceutical Company (Becton, Dickinson and Company) held a press conference on Wednesday to announce its 5-year action plan on antibiotic resistance in Viet Nam during the 2018-2022 period.

The plan aims to improve public health in Viet Nam by enhancing the quality of healthcare and medical diagnostic service, as well as to help natiowide hospitals to fulfill their targets set in the national action plan.

Accordingly, the focus will be on organising training courses on antibiotic resistance, enhancing the quality of current clinical laboratories nationwide, and how to manage laboratories in hospitals effectively.