Liaquat national hospital in Karachi

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About us

High levels of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and frequency of health care associated infections (HAI) in Pakistan are a significant cause of concern. Limited awareness about these issues suggests a need for wider discussions.

Pakistan Antimicrobial Resistance Network (PARN) set up in March 2007 in association with the Infectious Diseases Society of Pakistan (IDSP) is a coalition of individuals, organisations and public health agencies concerned about antibiotic resistance and health care associated infections with the specific aim of creating awareness through sharing of information and development of a support group to help address these issues.

The coalition partners include:

National Institute of Health Pakistan

Pakistan Medical Research Council

Aims & Objectives

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Sharing concern and information on AMR and healthcare associated infections.
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Creating awareness through meetings/seminars.
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Provision of advice and sharing protocols and educational material for antimicrobial testing and control of healthcare associated infections.
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Conducting workshops for reducing health care associated infections and updating laboratory methodology. Developing/adapting and recommending treatment guidelines for local use.

Healthcare Associated Infection

Healthcare Associated Infection (HAI) formerly known as Nosocomial Infection has progressively become a disaster in the world of medicine. This problem needs particular attention in view of its impact in terms of extended hospital stay, increased cost burden, increased mortality and above all the quality of life patients suffer afterwards.

HAI is also considered to be a threat to healthcare workers related to exposure at there workplace.

Emergence of multi resistant acinetobacter, escalating spread of methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus and other antibiotic resistant organisms has brought this issue to further attention. Not only are these organisms resistant to antibiotics and therefore difficult and more expensive to treat but, they may also be associated with characteristics allowing them to spread easily between patients.

It is important to realize that most HAIs are preventable. There are some key measures that can be used to minimize the risk of causing an HAI. These are focused on preventing the transmission of micro-organisms between patients and preventing their introduction during invasive procedures or other treatments. Transfer of micro-organism on the hands of healthcare workers is an important factor, as many micro-organisms are readily transferred by touch. Also an effective surveillance system that monitor the occurrence of HAI can help identify risks of infection and assist healthcare workers to target preventive measures.

The aim of this resource is to:

1. Provide material relevant to infection control which can help people learn and develop policies.

2. Discuss queries and events related to HAI.

3. Share summary information and to signpost access points for further information and resources as useful links.

Antimicrobial Resistance

Since their discovery during the 20th century, antimicrobial agents (antibiotics and related medicinal drugs) have substantially reduced the threat posed by infectious diseases. The use of these "wonder drugs", combined with improvements in sanitation, housing, and nutrition, and the advent of widespread immunization programmes, has led to a dramatic drop in deaths from diseases that were previously widespread, untreatable, and frequently fatal. Over the years, antimicrobials have saved the lives and eased the suffering of millions of people. By helping to bring many serious infectious diseases under control, these drugs have also contributed to the major gains in life expectancy experienced during the latter part of the last century.

These gains are now seriously jeopardized by another recent development: the emergence and spread of microbes that are resistant to cheap and effective first-choice, or "first-line" drugs. The bacterial infections which contribute most to human disease are also those in which emerging and microbial resistance is most evident: diarrhoeal diseases, respira­tory tract infections, meningitis, sexually transmitted infec­tions, and hospital-acquired infections. Some important examples include penicillin-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae, vancomycin-resistant enterococci, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, multi-resistant salmonellae, and multi-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The development of resistance to drugs commonly used to treat malaria is of particular concern, as is the emerging resistance to anti HIV drugs.