Recently, adissemination event was held at MIS conference room, Directorate General of Health Services to share findings from the Antimicrobial Stewardship (AMS) Pilot Project, implemented in 6 public hospitals across Cumilla and Dinajpur. The initiative, led by CDC, DGHS with support from World Health Organization (WHO) Bangladesh and ARK Foundation, tested practical approaches including a comprehensive AMS Package to improve the rational use of antibiotics at primary, secondary, and tertiary levels of care.
Attendance at the meeting comprised stakeholders from multiple sectors, notably representatives from CDC-DGHS, Institute of Epidemiology Disease Control & Research – IEDCR, icddr,b, WHO and ARK. Representatives of government bodies and development partners were also present along with policy makers and health facility managers of the selected facilities.
The findings shared at the event showed that the number of patients receiving antibiotics dropped significantly, from nearly 74% at the Baseline to around 60% by the Endline. Initiatives like Prescription Survey proved effective in improving accountability in Physicians’ prescribing habits. Hospitals, especially medical colleges, started using lab tests more often to guide treatment decisions.
Participants emphasised on the importance of increased AMS practices across all the facilities in the country including formation of AMS Committees, increased cultural sensitivity and raising awareness among both physicians and the patients.
