The Lagos University Teaching Hospital management, LUTH, has attained another feat with the accreditation for meeting the requirements of the Global Antimicrobial Stewardship Accreditation Scheme, GAMAS AMS standards at Level Two.
The accreditation Tuesday confirms that LUTH as meet the level of quality required by the British Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy, BSAC, Global Antimicrobial Stewardship Accreditation Scheme.
BSAC GAMSAS is a global accreditation scheme that sets high level of quality that any antimicrobial stewardship, AMS, programs must surpass to be seen as proficient in safe and effective usage of antibiotics. AMS is a collection of activities that supports 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 organization in Africa to achieve BSAC GAMSAS accreditation.
“This accreditation demonstrates our dedication to reducing the threat of AMR globally by supporting healthcare personnel, who are responsible for safe use of antibiotics. We appreciate the support of the BSAC GAMSAS team during this process”, said the Chief Medical Director, Prof. Wasiu Adeyemo.
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 and overuse of antibiotics because of lack of awareness of the public. AMR can lead to longer, more expensive hospital stays, increased risks of death and the spread of infections to others.
AMS is a key strategy for preventing and controlling AMR. 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, appropriate use of antibiotics and monitoring antibiotic use and resistance
BSAC GAMSAS accreditation is a valuable tool for organizations that are committed to improving AMS. It provides a framework for organizations to develop and implement effective and sustainable AMS programs, and it helps to ensure that these programs are meeting high standards of quality.
“LUTH is committed to providing high quality care to its patients. BSAC GAMSAS accreditation is a significant milestone in our efforts to combat AMR and support AMS. We are proud to be recognized for our work in this area”, said Prof Adeyemo
