The Covid-19 pandemic has shown the need to adopt the concept “One Health” and a multidisciplinary approach from the field of infectious diseases. The new proposals of the specialists illustrated in Palermo between infectious priorities and new models of clinical-managerial governance in Health
SIMIT – Infectious Diseases, a synergy between institutions and doctors is ready for the next emergencies. Here are the new infectious disease plans
“The “One Health” approach to infectious disease plans, in line with the indications from international and European organizations, represents one of the pillars of surveillance, prevention, preparedness and response to infectious emergencies.” explains Dr. Francesco Maraglino, Ministry of Health
Without a doubt, three years of Covid-19 have left an important legacy. Institutions and citizens have been able to understand the importance of an efficient infectious disease network, which must be developed both at the hospital level and in the territory. In particular, the role of the infectious disease specialist is increasingly important in prevention, characterized above all by vaccination and the appropriate use of antibiotics against resistant microorganisms.
THE INFECTIOUS PLANS OF THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH – Also in light of the awareness acquired with the pandemic, the Ministry of Health has launched a series of plans so as not to be left unprepared for other public health emergencies, under the motto of the concept OneHealth and a multidisciplinary approach. In particular, the “Pan-Flu Pandemic Plan” has been drawn up to deal with new strains of influenza with pandemic potential that may arise in the future. The new National Plan Against Antibiotic Resistance (PNCAR) 2022-2025 was born against multi-resistant antibiotic germs, the main threat in infectious diseases as shown by the WHO estimate of more than 10 million deaths per year in 2050. “The “One Health” approach to infectious disease plans, in line with the indications from international and European organizations, represents one of the pillars of surveillance, prevention, preparedness and response to infectious emergencies. – highlights Dr. Francisco MaraglinoDirector Office 5 (Complex Structure) – Prevention of Communicable Diseases and International Prophylaxis, General Directorate of Health Prevention, Ministry of Health – In addition to PanFlu and PNCAR, this focus is also focused on the National Arbovirus Prevention, Surveillance and Response Plan (PNA) 2020-2025 dedicated to addressing vector-borne diseases, such as West Nile, Chikungunya or Zika. The attention on this issue is very high. The Ministry of Health is currently actively participating in the work of European and international health organizations dedicated to drafting new indications in light of the experience of COVID-19”.
SIMIT LEADS THE NETWORK AGAINST NEW EMERGENCIES – The Society for Infectious and Tropical Diseases – SIMIT is at the forefront throughout the country to address new emergencies with a global approach. “The concept of One Health is extremely important in public health – emphasizes Prof. claudio mastroianniSIMIT President – Human health, animal health and the environment around us must coexist in harmony. Therefore, a close collaboration between these systems is needed, especially in the current phase, as the events of these days also show. Without a close interconnection between human health, veterinary medicine and the environment, we will not be able to cope with the new infectious emergencies that may arise. SIMIT has an extensive network throughout the country that has already been an example in the fight against HIV/AIDS, but has also proven to be essential in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic. The next step to take will be to promote a multidisciplinary approach: only then will we be able to effectively combat new infectious emergencies that may arise.”.
A MEETING TO RELEASE THE NATIONAL INFECTIOUS NETWORK – The issue of infectious disease plans was at the center of the National Meeting “Infectious diseases: new models of clinical-managerial governance in health”, which was held on May 24 and 25 at the Splendid Hotel La Torre de Mondello (Palermo). The initiative was proposed as a starting point for a new synergy of the national infectious diseases network. The presidents of the Congress were Dr. Clara IariaDirector of Infectious and Tropical Diseases at the UOC-ARNAS Civico Di Cristina Benfratelli, Palermo, who is also the Scientific Manager, and Dr. Antonina Franco, Director of Infectious Diseases UOC, Umberto I Hospital, Syracuse. The Congress is sponsored by the Ministry of Health, the Istituto Superiore di Sanità, the Department of Health of the Sicilian Region, the Municipality of Palermo, the Hospital Cívico Di Cristina Benfratelli, the Italian Society for Infectious and Tropical Diseases. “The meeting was divided into several sessions on many infectious macro areas – emphasizes Dr. Clara Iaria – Antimicrobial stewardship, new and old antibiotics for infections with MDR germs, fungal infections, antiviral therapies for HIV, HBV-HDV, HCV infections, therapies for Covid-19, tuberculosis, emerging and re-emerging infections, management of infectious diseases in cancer patients – hematological and transplant patients, with special attention to the implementation of routes and assistance programs that involve the infectologist from a multidisciplinary point of view, prevention through vaccines. Another important issue is access to therapies, to the indications provided in the technical data sheets, to the extensions of the indications, to the reimbursement of the SNS. In this sense, the topic of PrEP and innovative therapies for HIV was also addressed. The intention of this meeting was to create synergies between the main actors and strengthen the national network of infectious diseases.”.
