The urgent need for infection control programmes in Indian health care.

The emergence of "superbugs" like carbapenem resistant Enterobactericiae with a NDM1 resistance pattern is a serious situation in clinical facilities in present times. The risk of health care-associated infections (HCAI) in emerging countries is two to 20 times higher than in developed countries; in some countries, the proportion can exceed 25% (1). Hospital infection prevention and control is fundamental to improving care, reducing the emergence of multidrug-resistant organisms and ensuring safety.