Within Umm Al-Qura University’s earnest efforts to qualify and train skilled medical cadres and graduates of the health colleges on the basics of the prevention of infectious diseases and epidemics, especially the emerging Novel Coronavirus infection, the College of Medicine, in cooperation with the Department of Healthcare Facility Infection Control at the Directorate of Public Health at the General Directorate of Health Affairs in Makkah Al-Mukarramah, organized a Training of Trainers (TOT) program on the “Basic Infection Control Skills License (BICSL)" program, according to internationally approved policies and procedures.

The Vice Dean of the College for Hospital Affairs, Dr. Alaa Munjed, underlined that the program, in its first edition, is considered a preventive measure concurrent with the plans to combat the Novel Coronavirus. The aim of the program was to qualify and train 25 faculty members from all health colleges to become trainers on the subject. Moreover, Dr. Alaa Munjed emphasized that the continuation and accreditation of the program are official requirements in the training mechanism, due to its importance in ensuring the safety of the patients, students, and supervisors in the hospitals. In addition, the program should be included in the accredited courses, held in cooperation with the various university entities that have partnerships and direct interactions with patients and pilgrims.

The representative of the Department of Health Facility Infection Control, Dr. Muhammad Malibari, pointed out the basic elements for the accreditation of the Basic Infection Control Skills License (BICSL) program, according to the guidelines of the World Health Organization. This is with regard to the mechanism of hand hygiene and sterilization, following precise steps to which all supervisors and practitioners adhere, the use of personal protective equipment, taking the proper steps to prevent infection during treatment, and the application of the respiratory protection program with highly efficient equipment.