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The Infectious Diseases Department was established in September 2017 at the SM-BBTC. The head of the Department is Dr. Shehla Baqi, who is a graduate of Dow University, with post-graduate training in the United States.

The Infectious Diseases department has several functions. First and foremost, it provides an Infectious Diseases consultation service to all specialties in the hospital. These consultations focus on diagnosis and appropriate antimicrobial therapy. Infection Control is an integral part of Infectious Diseases, thus minimizing hospital acquired infections and assuring a safe environment. Infection Control nurses report to the Infectious Diseases department and perform daily audits of the clinical units. In addition, occupational health related issues are often handled by the Infectious Diseases department when they involve exposures to infectious agents, or when health care workers are suffering from an infection.

The department is also involved in teaching, both informally during rounds and consultations, but also with workshops, Infection Control certification courses, and lectures. Amongst its goals is to establish an FCPS Fellowship Program in Infectious Diseases at CHK, which will benefit the institution for years to come.

The Infectious Diseases department can function as an invaluable resource for the government and provide essential input in public health policies. Our Department plans to be actively involved in assisting government as well as conducting awareness raising programs with a focus on prevention of infectious diseases.

In less than a year, the Infectious Diseases Department at the SM-BBTC has recruited ID trained physicians and has involved nurses in Infection Control. With more faculty, and especially if a Fellowship program is established, we can fulfill an important objective of conducting research

We believe that the Department of Infectious Diseases has great potential to grow and continue to fulfill its goals of clinical care, education, prevention and research.