Lagos University Teaching Hospital has become the first organization in Africa to get the British Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy (BSAC) Global Antimicrobial Stewardship Accreditation Scheme (GAMSAS).
The feat was announced on Tuesday by the management of the hospital.
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In a statement issued by the chief medical director, Prof. Wasiu Lanre Adeyemo, he said LUTH has achieved her “goal of meeting the level of quality required by the British Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy (BSAC) Global Antimicrobial Stewardship Accreditation Scheme (GAMSAS).”
Adeyemo said, “BSAC GAMSAS is a global accreditation scheme that sets a high level of quality that any antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) programmes must surpass to be seen as proficient in safe and effective usage of antibiotics.
“AMS is a collection of activities that support safe and effective use of antibiotics without risks of harm or danger, which helps keep antimicrobial resistance (AMR) at bay. We are proud to be the first organisation in Africa to achieve BSAC GAMSAS accreditation,” the CMD said.
He said the accreditation demonstrates LUTH’s dedication to reducing the threat of AMR globally by supporting healthcare personnel who are responsible for the safe use of antibiotics. We appreciate the support of the BSAC GAMSAS team during this process.”
AMR is a growing global health threat. It occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites that cause harmful diseases change over time and no longer respond to medicines that once could treat them effectively due to unnecessary use, inappropriate use, or overuse of antibiotics because of a lack of public awareness.
The CMD said AMR can lead to longer, more expensive hospital stays, increased risks of death, and the spread of infections to others.
Adeyemo added that AMS is a key strategy for preventing and controlling AMR, adding that it involves a range of interventions, such as putting the appropriate use of antibiotics first and promoting it; developing and implementing guidelines for antibiotic prescribing; educating healthcare professionals, patients, and the public about AMR and the appropriate use of antibiotics; and monitoring antibiotic use and resistance.
He said LUTH is committed to providing high-quality care to its patients and stressed that “BSAC GAMSAS accreditation is a significant milestone in our efforts to combat AMR and support antimicrobial stewardship (AMS). We are proud to be recognized for our work in this area.”