Uwos Uba, a professor of public health at the University of Queensland, Australia, has called for intensified control strategies against the threat of nosocomial (hospital-acquired) infections.
Uba was the guest lecturer at a public lecture organized by the Faculty of Basic, Medical and Applied Sciences of Trinity University, Sabo-Yaba, Lagos State on Tuesday.
He spoke on the topic: 'Fighting indoor infections: public health strategies against nosocomial threats'.
According to the professor, nosocomial infection can occur through medical procedures or through environmental sources such as unhygienic hospital conditions, contaminated equipment and food consumed in the hospital environment.
According to him, even if infections originate from external food sources, they are still considered hospital-acquired if they occur during the patient's admission and hospital care.
Therefore, the expert urged governments and health institutions to prioritize hygiene protocols, regular staff training and strict infection prevention measures to strengthen hospital security and restore public confidence in healthcare delivery.
“Investing in continuous surveillance and infection control technologies is critical.
“Proactive strategies are essential to protect patients and build a resilient, responsive and healthy healthcare system,” Uba said.
He advised the general public to follow infection-control policies, maintain proper hygiene, wash hands regularly and act responsibly to prevent the spread of infection within healthcare facilities and communities.
Earlier, Trinity University Vice-Chancellor Clement Kolawole highlighted the global impact of the hospital-acquired infection.
He urged the government and stakeholders to strengthen health care systems through investment in infrastructure, training and preventive measures to reduce morbidity and mortality.
“Here, at Trinity University, we combine academic excellence with innovation and entrepreneurship, ensuring that our graduates become problem-solvers, job creators and contributors to national development,” Kolawole said.
He described nosocomial infections as a silent but deadly threat, stressing that tackling them will require collective commitment, strengthened systems and sustained investment to protect patient safety and strengthen national health care.
The Vice-Chancellor also commended the guest lecturer for his expertise in infection control, and emphasized the role of Trinity University in sharing knowledge and promoting innovative solutions through public lectures.
He hoped that the discussion from the lecture would inspire collective action towards safer hospitals, better public health practices and a more resilient healthcare delivery system.
In his remarks, the Dean of the Faculty of Basic, Medical and Applied Sciences of the university, Abayomi Adetuyi, described the lecture as a timely and strategic partnership aimed at addressing the persistent global challenge of hospital-acquired infections.
“Today's gathering deepens our understanding of nosocomial infections that are debilitating health care systems globally, reminding us of the urgent need for preventive strategies.
Adetuyi commended the guest lecturer for his expertise and dedication to promoting global health and infection control practices across borders.
He said Uba's lecture was a testament to the shared commitment to protect human health, improve hospital practices and strengthen preventive systems.
Trinity University Registrar David Oyejide said the lecture emphasized that nosocomial infections pose a challenge to public health systems around the world.
“I believe this lecture has sparked a renewed commitment to tackling public health challenges through innovation, collaboration and determination.
