Muscat – Khalid Muneer al Balushi of Sultan Qaboos University’s College of Medicine and Health Sciences has brought international acclaim to Oman with his research presented at the 6th World Congress on Infectious Diseases held in Paris, France from June 24 to 26.

In an interview with Muscat Daily, Balushi informed that he was awarded for Best Scientific Poster for his research titled Prevalence of Co-infections among Hospitalised Patients with COVID-19 at a Tertiary-Care Hospital in Muscat, Oman: A Retrospective Study. 

The conference was attended by health professionals from several countries, including the USA, UK, UAE, France, Australia, Brazil, Philippines, Germany, Colombia and Turkey, providing Balushi a platform to showcase his research. 

It focused on evaluating 150 hospitalised COVID-19 patients treated from January 2020 to December 2021, investigating their management and outcomes at the university hospital’s emergency department.

“My research revealed a higher incidence of COVID-19 among male and elderly patients, who were particularly susceptible to concurrent infections,” Balushi said. The research also highlighted a significant prevalence of chronic conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, kidney disease and heart disease among COVID-19 patients, with a notable number of these requiring ventilator support. Bacterial infections were identified as the most common co-infection, followed by fungal and viral types.

Describing the challenges he faced, Balushi stressed the importance of obtaining accurate information amidst rigorous academic commitments and gaining credibility through participation in international conferences. 

He thanked his parents for their unwavering support and H H Dr Fahd bin al Julanda al Said, President of Sultan Qaboos University, for fostering an environment conducive to scientific research. He also thanked Prof Zaima al Jabri for her invaluable guidance throughout his research project.

Looking ahead, Balushi aims to contribute further to medical advancements, particularly in Oman, by pursuing research aimed at finding cures for currently incurable diseases. He encouraged his peers to prioritise research during their studies, emphasising its role in enhancing research capabilities and updating medical knowledge across scientific disciplines.

Reflecting on the Paris conference’s significance, Balushi highlighted its role in advancing global research on infectious diseases and enhancing scientific discourse. “Participating in such conferences boosts confidence and deepens knowledge in specialised field,” he added.