The Ministry of Health's Directorate General of Prevention and Health Promotion issued official memorandum No. 14 on May 25, 2026. This full directive addresses the establishment, tasks, and formation of infection prevention and control units within both public and private health institutions. Dr. Forar Jamal, Director General of Prevention and Health Promotion, signed the memorandum, outlining new stringent qualifications for those leading these critical units. The measure aims to enhance health security across the sector by ensuring specialized and dedicated leadership in infection control efforts. The memorandum shows the Ministry's commitment to strengthening healthcare standards and patient safety throughout the country.
New Appointment Criteria Detailed
The Ministry of Health's memorandum specifies that only practicing physicians, whether general practitioners or specialists, are deemed qualified to lead infection prevention and control units. This criterion aims to ensure that unit heads possess the direct clinical experience and medical knowledge essential for effective infection management. The directive explicitly excludes physicians specializing in epidemiology and preventive medicine who are employed by or affiliated with epidemiology and preventive medicine departments (SEMEP) from heading these units, thereby preventing potential conflicts of interest or divided responsibilities.
The new regulations also prohibit directors of health institutions from simultaneously holding the position of unit head, emphasizing the need for a distinct focus on infection control without administrative overlaps. The memorandum states that individuals occupying senior medical or technical administrative roles are barred from being assigned this specific task. These criteria aim to delineate clear responsibilities and ensure that unit leadership is focused solely on infection control, free from other demanding administrative duties that might dilute their attention to this critical area. The Ministry believes that this clear separation of roles will significantly improve the efficacy of infection prevention strategies.
Regulatory Basis and Enforcement
The memorandum issued by the Directorate General of Prevention and Health Promotion is underpinned by two key regulatory documents, providing a strong legal framework for its provisions. Ministerial Decision No. 15, issued on September 15, 2024, establishes the foundational framework for the unit for prevention and control of treatment-associated infections, detailing its establishment, tasks, and formation. This decision laid the groundwork for the current memorandum's detailed implementation guidelines. Further reinforcing these guidelines, Ministerial Instruction No. 25, dated November 25, 2024, specifies the operational requirements for the establishment and management of these units across both public and private healthcare sectors, ensuring uniformity and high standards. The Ministry of Health emphasized that strict adherence to the new legal provisions and conditions is mandatory for all health institutions. It warned that any appointment or assignment that contravenes these regulations will result in the head of the respective institution being held fully and directly legally and administratively responsible for the violation, signaling a firm stance on compliance and accountability.
Upcoming Training and Implementation
A specialized training session for individuals responsible for the newly regulated infection prevention and control units is scheduled to take place from June 21 to June 25, 2026. This intensive training aims to equip unit heads with the necessary knowledge and skills to implement the Ministry of Health's updated directives effectively and efficiently. The session will cover procedural guidelines, best practices in infection control, and the responsibilities associated with the stringent new qualification criteria. Public and private health institutions are expected to ensure their appointed unit heads attend this key program to comply with the memorandum's requirements and to ensure a high level of preparedness. The Ministry of Health anticipates that this full training will be a key step in reinforcing health security standards nationwide, ensuring a consistent and expert-led approach to infection prevention across all facilities and safeguarding public health.
