Knowledge and experience for safe service continuity

The one-day scientific conference on sterilization management and the continuity of sterile processing services during crises and war took place on Friday, 16 October 2026 (24 Mehr 1405), at the Shahr-e Aftab International Exhibition Centre in Tehran. Held alongside Iran Med, the conference brought together 120 participants to examine how sterile processing departments can sustain their services during disruption, resource shortages and armed conflict.

The Association of Sterile Processing Department Staff organised the event in collaboration with the War Injuries Research Centre of Tehran University of Medical Sciences. Dr Hamid Zare, Association President, and Dr Mehdi Norouzi, Scientific Secretary, took part in the scientific programme. Hamid Kashaf, the association’s Vice-President, opened the event with a welcome and an introduction to the association.

The programme approached sterilization from several connected perspectives: technical preparedness, infection prevention, workforce resilience, resource management, leadership and service continuity. Hospital experience was presented alongside scientific topics, connecting specialist knowledge with the operational challenges facing CSSD teams.

The international contributions included Harry Oussoren’s presentation on sterilisation management during wartime. Jan Huijs’s presentation, “Sterile Supply in Times of Disaster, Crisis and War: What We Can Learn from Practices in Africa”, was presented by Dr Hamid Zare. PDF versions of these presentations are available in the downloads section.

Scientific discussion and closing moments

A panel and question-and-answer session formed part of the concluding programme. Following the closing session, participants and colleagues gathered for commemorative photographs. These images are preserved in the gallery alongside the scientific record of the event.