Karachi: In progressive countries like Pakistan, controlling and preventing infectious diseases like Congo virus is crucial. Health professionals require bio-safety and bio-security training workshops to gain control, prevention, and mitigation skills. Principal of Dow International Medical College, Professor Zeba Haq expressed the importance of such thoughts during a two-day training workshop titled “Training in bio-safety, bio-security, and laboratory best practices to prevent tuberculosis for laboratory workers in TB labs.” She addressed the participants as a Chief Guest. The workshop was organized in collaboration with the Communicable Disease Control (CDC) Sindh, Pakistan Biological Safety Association (PBSA), American Society for Microbiology (ASM), and Dow University of Health Sciences.
During the two-day conference, Professor Dr. Saeed Khan, Dr. Uzma Urooj, Dr. Hammad Afzal, Dr. Maria Zahid, Saba Sarwar, and Professor Dr. Asif Qureshi also delivered speeches. Professor Zeba Haq mentioned that workshops of this nature enhance the awareness among laboratory professionals about safety protocols and contribute to taking better measures to limit pathological elements. Guided by Prof. Dr. Saeed Khan, President of PBSA, and Dr. Abid Ali Channa, the Project Manager at the Global Fund (TGF), individuals from various regions in Sindh gathered for this essential biosafety and biosecurity training tailored for laboratory workers in TB labs.
Approximately 40 laboratory workers, including District Lab Supervisors and Senior Lab Supervisors from diverse institutes across Hyderabad, Thatta, Mirpurkhas, Sanghar, S. Benazirabad (Nawabshah), Sukkur, Ghotki, Larkana, Shikarpur, Jacobabad, Kambar Shahdadkot, Dadu, Kahairpur, Matiari, Jamshoro, Badin, Tando Allayar, Tando Muhammad Khan, Umerkot, Naushahro Feroz, Kashmore, Sujawal, and PRL-Karachi, actively participated in the training. They engaged in various activities and acquired knowledge on adopting good laboratory practices for ensuring the safety and security of personnel, the community, and the environment.
The first day of training, led by facilitators Prof. Dr. Saeed Khan and Dr. Uzma Urooj, Dr. Hammad Afzal, and Dr. Maria Zahid, focused on Biological Risk Mitigation, Primary Controls of Biosafety and Biosecurity, Good Laboratory Practices, and Emergency Response and Preparedness. Hands-on practice sessions included proper wearing of personal protective equipment (PPEs) during work with TB samples, spill management, and needle stick injury protocols.
The second day featured lectures by Dr. Uzma Urooj, Miss Saba Sarwar, and Prof. Dr. Asif Qureshi on Infection Prevention and Control, Lab Quality Management System, Waste Management, Sample Transportation, and Packaging. Another hands-on training session covered proper procedures for handwashing, sanitization, on-site handling of biological waste, and segregation of waste for TB samples.
The workshop concluded with a certificate and shield distribution ceremony among participants, marked by closing remarks from Prof. Dr. Zeba Haq, Principal of DIMC, and Dr. Abid Ali.
