In 2009, the world discovered a new fungal disease known as Candida auris. Though, the first case of C. auris in Pakistan was suspected to be in 2008, resulting in a global phenomenon of a highly infectious, disease-causing pathogen with growing antimicrobial resistance. For the past couple years, Integral Global Consulting (IGC) has worked on several projects with CDC with the goal of reducing the burden of C. auris in Pakistan. These projects include laboratory personnel training and the facilitation of workshops and communication for large stakeholders. IGC recognizes the need to expand efforts around mycotic infections and will continue to support CDC and their initiatives in reducing hospital-based infections.
Project 1
C. auris Laboratory Training in Pakistan 2020
In January 2024, IGC, Emory, and DOE/SNL co-implemented a training titled “Chemical Incident Risk Management Training for Healthcare Professionals in Türkiye” in partnership with the Başakşehir Çam and Sakura City Hospital and Turkish Emergency Medicine Foundation. 25 participants from across the country attended the 2-day training at the Başakşehir Çam and Sakura City Hospital in Istanbul that covered chemical toxidrome recognition and incident investigation.
Project 2
C. auris Collaboration and Facilitation in Pakistan Year 2021-2022
In 2021, IGC was awarded a cooperative agreement with CDC to provide logistical support to the National Institute of Health (NIH) in Islamabad. Both IGC and the NIH collaborated to support antimicrobial resistance prevention activities throughout the country. These activities align with CDC’s mycotic goals to continue developing laboratory workforce capacity. IGC has aided NIH through communication and facilitation measures for laboratory assessments and trainings.
Project 3
Candida Auris in Bangladesh Year 2023
During year two of this project, a preliminary assessment of the Institute of Epidemiology Disease Control and Research (IEDCR)’s capacity to conduct fugal disease surveillance was conducted in Dhaka, Bangladesh. IEDCR is Bangladesh’s national institute for outbreak investigation and disease surveillance. To complete this evaluation, IGC worked closely with IEDCR’s Department of Microbiology and site visits were conducted at Uttara Adhunik Medical College and Dhaka Medical College Hospital. The assessment provided valuable context to the current status of fungal disease and AMR surveillance in Bangladesh. Additionally, the assessment evaluated the organization’s fungal disease diagnostic capability, with a particular focus on candida auris. The final report has been used by CDC to inform decisions on capacity building activities and priority areas of focus.
