Antimicrobial Stewardship
Antimicrobial stewardship is a coordinated public health approach that promotes the responsible use of antibiotics and other antimicrobial medicines to protect their effectiveness. Antimicrobials are essential for treating bacterial, viral, fungal, and parasitic infections, but their overuse and misuse, such as taking antibiotics for viral illnesses like colds or not completing prescribed courses contribute to antimicrobial resistance (AMR). AMR occurs when microorganisms evolve and treatments become less effective, leading to longer illnesses, increased healthcare costs, and a higher risk of severe disease and in extreme cases death. Effective antimicrobial stewardship involves prescribing the right medicine, at the right dose, for the right duration, alongside infection prevention measures such as vaccination, hand hygiene, and surveillance. By working together healthcare professionals, patients, policymakers, and communities we can preserve the usefulness of these essential medicines.
You can find the GHA antimicrobial strategy in the link below
