Media Release

Mangaluru, Dec 4: Dr Beryl A Oppenheim, an eminent researcher and an honorary Microbiologist from the United Kingdom visited the Father Muller Medical College and the Father Muller Medical College Hospital on December 2 to deliver a keynote address on ‘Healthcare-associated infection – Faster diagnosis of healthcare-associated infection, antimicrobials – Save the saviour’.

Hospital-acquired infection is a global problem and is one of the most important causes of mortality and morbidity. Multidrug-resistant bacterial infections being one of the primary causes, the diagnosing and treatment of such infections is a challenge for every clinician. Reliable microbiology culture reports and availability of newer rapid diagnostic tools to detect antibiotic resistance can aid the clinician for quick therapeutic decision and thereby reduce mortality.

The president of the inaugural ceremony, Fr Richard A Coelho, director, Father Muller Charitable Institutions welcomed Dr Beryl to Mangaluru and appreciated her efforts in sharing her knowledge of such an important aspect of hospital infection control world over. He mentioned that the NABH, NABL, NAAC and Bureau Veritas certifications of the Father Muller Medical College Hospital stands as a testimony to the dedication of its staff and management to attain the heights of quality in healthcare, but making it affordable to patients. Healthcare is the backbone of every society, if not optimized, society in itself crumbles.

The programme was graced by Fr Ajith Menezes, administrator of the Father Muller Medical College, Dr Jayaprakash Alva, dean FMMC, Dr Rekha Boloor, professor and head, department of Microbiology, FMMC and the organizing secretary and Fr Nelson Pais, assistant administrator FMMCH.

Fr Rudolph Ravi D’Sa, administrator of the Father Muller Medical College Hospital, presented a token of appreciation to Dr Beryl and congratulated her on her many titles and workmanship. Dr Anup Shetty introduced the speaker to the audience and Dr Thomas Kruvilla proposed the vote of thanks. In attendance were the faculty of the medical college, the Hospital Infection Control (HIC) staff, interns and postgraduates from various departments.

Dr Beryl A Oppenheim is the senior director, medical affairs, Cepheid, Honorary Consultant Microbiologist and Microbiology Project Lead, SRMRC, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust and editor of the prestigious Journal of Hospital Infection.