Professor Ossama Rasslan (November 10, 1951- November 9, 2024) was a transformative leader, significantly impacting healthcare through his groundbreaking contributions to infection prevention and control, medical microbiology, patient safety, and medical education across Africa, the Arab world, and beyond.

He notably served as the Secretary General of the Arab Medical Union  and was the Founder and President of the Egyptian Society for Infection Control (ESIC), which became the first international chapter of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control (APIC).

Throughout his distinguished career, Professor Rasslan was a tireless advocate who shaped infection prevention and control  policies, advanced patient safety standards, and mentored generations of infection preventionists, researchers and academics. His influential work continues to guide healthcare systems and inspire professionals globally.

Academic and Leadership Roles:

• Professor of Medical Microbiology, Immunology, and Infection Control.
• Head, Department of Medical Microbiology & Immunology, Ain Shams Faculty of Medicine, Cairo, Egypt (2005–2011).
• Founder and Head, Infectious Diseases Research & Infection Control Unit (IDRICU), Ain Shams Faculty of Medicine.
• Dean, Arab Institute for Continuing Professional Development (AICPD).
• Secretary General, Arab Medical Union.
• President, Egyptian Society for Infection Control (APIC/Egypt Chapter).
• President, Pan Arab Patient Safety Association (PAPSA).

Contributions to Medical Microbiology & Infection Control Education:

• Head, Egyptian Fellowship Board of Medical Microbiology and Infection Control (2002–2007).
• Head, Egyptian Fellowship Board of Infection Prevention & Control, Ministry of Health and Population, Egypt (2007–2021).
• Founder and Program Lead, Professional Diploma in Infection Control (PDIC), awarded by AICPD/AMU (2007–2024).
• Founder and Program Lead, Professional Certificate in Nosocomial Infection Control awarded by:
  • Egyptian Society for Infection Control in collaboration with the American University in Cairo (2003–2007).
  • National Infectious Diseases Control Centre, Libya (2007–2009).
  • Ministry of Health, Syria in collaboration with WHO EMRO (2008–2009).

Pioneering Work in Global & Regional Infection Prevention and Control:

• Founder and President, Egyptian Society for Infection Control (1992–2024).
  • Established as APIC/Egypt Chapter, the first international chapter of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control (APIC).
• President, ESIC Annual Conference
  • Led one of the region’s premier infection control conferences, reaching its 32^nd edition in 2023 and uniting regional and global experts in infection prevention.
• Chair, North Africa Region, Infection Control Africa Network (ICAN) (2011–2018).
• Technical Supervisor, National Infection Control Program, Ministry of Health and Population, Egypt (2002–2006).
• Board Member, International Federation of Infection Control (IFIC) (2003–2010).

Scholarly Contributions & Editorial Leadership

• Founder and Editor, Scientific Medical Journal – Egypt (1989–2024).
• Founder and Editor, Egyptian Journal of Medical Laboratory Sciences (Official Journal of APIC/Egypt Chapter) (1992–2024).
• Member, International Advisory Board, Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal (EMHJ), WHO EMRO (1999–2013).
• Reviewer, American Journal of Infection Control (AJIC), APIC (2008–Present).
• Editorial Board Member, International Journal of Infection Control (IJIC) (2005–2008).
• Authored numerous publications in international peer-reviewed journals in medical microbiology and infection prevention & control, with over 1,000 citations (Scopus ID: 13105078300).

Shaping Global Health: WHO Contributions & Public Health Leadership

• Chair, International Section, APIC, USA (2011–2012).
• Recipient, APIC 2012 Chapter Leader Award.
• Member, WHO Eastern Mediterranean Regional Network of Experts on Infection Prevention and Control (WHO/EMREIC) (2012–2024).
• Technical Advisory Group (TAG) Member for Polio Eradication, WHO EMRO (2001–2011).
• National Coordinator for Polio Containment in Egypt (2001–2011).
• Core Group Member, Global Health Cluster (GHC), WHO HQ, Geneva (2011–2014).
• Drug Resistance Track Leader, Third International Conference for Improving Use of Medicines (ICIUM), Antalya, Turkey (2011).

  Role at the Arab Medical Union:
As Secretary General of the Arab Medical Union, Professor Rasslan significantly contributed to strengthening collaboration among Arab healthcare professionals, facilitating regional medical education initiatives, and championing public health advocacy across the Arab world.

Professor Ossama Rasslan’s lifelong dedication continues to profoundly impact global health, inspiring current and future leaders in medical microbiology, infection control, and patient safety.