NEWS AND EVENTS

FIDSSA Newsflash

News submissions can be made either in PDF format or word document to: news@fidssa.co.za the inclusion of any submissions is subject to FIDSSA council approval

Morbi in sem

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit. Donec odio. Quisque volutpat mattis eros. Nullam malesuada erat ut turpis. Suspendisse urna nibh, viverra non, semper suscipit, posuere a, pede.

Wisdom/Personal Reflections series Briefing document and request for quotation

Overview                           
The Federation of Infectious Diseases Societies of Southern Africa is planning a Wisdom/Personal Reflections series targeted at junior and mid-career FIDSSA members. The aim of this series is to outline the diversity of career trajectories in infectious diseases in South Africa and to provide a library of mentor/mentee resources for FIDSSA members. Using a mix of written statements, pre-recorded audio interviews and live/recorded virtual lectures, we plan to invite respected/senior people within the infectious diseases field to reflect on their personal career trajectories, the impact of their work, the mistakes they’ve made along the way and the advice they would give to FIDSSA members for happy and fulfilling careers in infectious diseases. 
Each of the four societies within FIDSSA will nominate people in three main tracks – academic, clinical and public health. We would like to include a good mix of participants, reflecting our broader membership, in terms of age, gender, ethnicity, academic versus rural medicine and private versus public sector.

Nominee list still to be finalised 
  • Clinical focus 
  • Academia/clinician-investigator focus 
  • Public health focus 
Timeline
We would like to launch this series in the third quarter of 2021 (before 30 Sep 2021). Materials in the series will be made available to FIDSSA members only for a specified period and then be made publically available. We will also use this series to launch the next round of FIDSSA-Institut Merieux awards for young investigators.
Scope of work for an external contractor
Develop, edit and compile materials for Wisdom/ Personal Reflections series, in collaboration with the FIDSSA administration office

Activity     

  Deliverable

  Timeline

  • Propose the most effective format of delivery for nominees. Options could include live lectures, pre-recorded lectures, pre-recorded audio/video interviews for a max. of 5 people, written submissions (around 1500 words)

  • Proposal to FIDSSA outlining content and delivery of Wisdom/Personal Reflections series

  •  30 June 2021


  • Draft generic guidance for written submissions and live/pre-recorded lecture formats

  • Generic guidance document for nominees

  • 14 July 2021

  • Conduct and edit video/audio interviews with a maximum of 5 people (to be identified by FIDSSA)

  • Edited audio or video files

  • 31 August 2021

  • Edit written submissions for SAJID

  • Edited document for submission to SAJID

  • 15 September 2021


Please submit a quotation together with your CV highlighting relevant experience to info@fidssa.co.za by 18 June 2021.

Examples of US CDC’s international partnerships and projects

27 Sep 2019

This video highlights examples of US CDC’s international partnerships and projects that are helping to improve antibiotic use and stop the spread of germs. FIDSSA members may be interested to see how the Inspire project at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital is reducing neonatal infections using IPC, surveillance, environmental cleaning and AMS approaches. 

Click here to watch the video

Angeliki Messina was awarded the FIDSSA-Institut Merieux Young Investigator Award

In 2017, Angeliki Messina was awarded the FIDSSA-Institut Merieux Young Investigator Award. Here, she discusses why she chose to apply, how she’s used the funds to support her research career and shares helpful hints for future applicants. 

Angeliki’s background and achievements

Angeliki is the Quality Systems and Innovation Manager of the Netcare Private Hospital Group. She leads the management and implementation of the antibiotic stewardship programme across 56 Netcare hospitals in South Africa. She obtained a B. Pharm degree (with distinction) in 2009 and an M. Pharm degree in 2018. She also obtained advanced certification in antibiotic stewardship through the Making a Difference in Infectious Diseases organisation in 2015. Angeliki has authored papers in peer-reviewed journals on successful alternative models for antibiotic stewardship in resource-limited settings. In recognition of her work in this field, she has also won the “Best Care Always!” Health systems Improvement Award in 2014 and 2015 and the Academy of Pharmaceutical Sciences of SA Young Scientist Award in 2016.  She is a working group member of FIDSSA’s SA Antibiotic Stewardship Programme. In 2017, she was appointed honorary lecturer in the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand. 

Why did I apply for the award?

I applied for the award in 2017 as it was an opportunity to possibly obtain additional resources to fulfil my future research goals in the field of antibiotic stewardship. I thought the award criteria were unique as they recognized contributions already made and aimed to support young candidates for their future research work. I also discussed the possibility of applying with some of my colleagues and got additional encouragement. Ultimately, the award provided a platform to be acknowledged for my contributions to the field of antibiotic stewardship in South Africa. 

How have I used the award?

The award has helped fund current research projects I am working on, including the costs of publication fees and attending conferences to increase my knowledge base and keep abreast of best practices globally. It also helped to partially fund my post graduate studies and I still have a little bit left over to help complete an international certification course which I am currently exploring. 

Hints for potential applicants from Angeliki?

This is a huge opportunity to be recognized for your hard work and contribution in your field. Take the time to complete the application (don’t leave it to the last minute) and make sure you adhere to the application requirements. Ask a friend/colleague to review your application to make sure all aspects are covered. If you are thinking of applying, I’d really encourage you to - it’s certainly worth it if you win and, if not, there really isn’t anything to lose.