Experience in Establishing an Antimicrobial Stewardship Programme in a District General Hospital in Southern Sri Lanka

Wijeweera KDDS¹, Priyanthi AAD² , ¹Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ruhuna, ²Department of Microbiology, Teaching Hospital Rathnapura

Abstract

Introduction

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has been declared as one of the top ten global public health threats by the World Health Organization [1].  The antimicrobial stewardship programme (ASP) is considered the most practical approach to combat AMR.

District General Hospital, Matara (DGH Matara) is the largest hospital in the Matara district, with a bed strength of 1000, and its microbiology unit extends its services to neighbouring hospitals as required.

Here, we describe the efforts taken to establish ASP at DGH Matara during the 2021 to 2023 period.