Cihan University-Erbil hosts the First International Symposium on Infection Prevention and Control
“Our university has pursued three distinct directions in the field of infection prevention and control, as these issues extend beyond the medical field and operating rooms to encompass the entire health system and society,” says Prof. Dr. Amjad Al-Delawi.
In his opening statement of “The First International Symposium on Infection Prevention and Control” hosted by Cihan University-Erbil, Prof. Dr. Amjad Sabir Al-Delawi made these comments during his speech at the symposium on Tuesday, November 12, 2024, titled “Let’s Protect the Health of the Community by Focusing on Prevention and Control of Infections,”. The event was attended by Dr. Saman Barzanji, Minister of Health of the Kurdistan Regional Government, Dr. Nawzad Yahya Bajgar, Chairman of the Cihan Universities Board of Trustees, and other dignitaries, researchers, educators, and students, who shared brief remarks about the symposium.
After a warm welcome addressed to the esteemed audience, Prof. Dr. Al-Delawi stated “Today, Cihan University-Erbil is proud to co-host this symposium in collaboration with the Ministry of Health’s Department of Quality Assurance and Infection Control in the Kurdistan Regional Government, as well as JOY University in India,”
Mr. University President emphasized on the symposium’s relevance, noting, “Human society and the health system in particular face rapid changes and unprecedented challenges affecting all aspects of life. Therefore, infection prevention and control are not solely a medical issue; it impacts the entire community and health infrastructure. The essential pillars of this effort include community welfare, promoting health awareness, enhancing quality of life, and strengthening healthcare across various sectors.”
In his speech, Prof. Dr. Amjad Sabir Al-Delawi stressed on Cihan University-Erbil’s commitment to this mission: “The themes and panels of this symposium,” he said, “remind us that safeguarding our communities equates to safeguarding the global community. Collaboration among institutions is essential for success and for overcoming the challenges facing our health systems. For this reason, our university remains devoted to advancing these initiatives.”
Through research, training, scientific progress, and policy recommendations, the University aims to shape innovative health policies. In addition, Cihan University-Erbil houses 13 departments specialized in medical and health sciences, contributing significantly to training skilled professionals for the health sector. These students engage in various volunteer activities across schools and public spaces to raise health awareness, a priority aligned with the university’s mission to build a resilient and preventive health system.
During the opening ceremony, momentous speeches were delivered by Dr. Saman Barzanji, Minister of Health of the Kurdistan Regional Government, and Dr. Nawzad Yahya Bajgar, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Cihan Universities. Dr. Bajgar highlighted the symposium’s scientific contributions and encouraged researchers to further advance the field through detailed studies, affirming the readiness of international universities to support such research and provide any necessary resources.
Among the other eminent speakers, there were Dr. Dlovan Mohammad Fatih, Director General of Erbil Health, and Dr. Arezo Hassan Barzanji, Head of the Department of Quality Assurance and Infection Control at the General Directorate of Health in Erbil, who spoke about their roles and activities in infection prevention.
Following the speeches, the symposium’s work program commenced, featuring a panel titled “The Development of Infection Prevention and Control in Kurdistan Hospitals.” This was followed by discussions of various scientific topics, providing a multi-dimensional analysis of infection control from diverse perspectives.
