T’puram: The capital city achieved significant success in the use of antibiotics and in preventing antimicrobial resistance. As part of state govt’s Kerala Antimicrobial Resistance Strategic Action Plan (KARSAP) project, various govt health institutions in the district have been officially designated as antimicrobial stewardship-compliant hospitals and antibiotic smart hospitals, following the approved standard operating procedure.The recognition was earned through excellence in activities such as strengthening infection control systems, promoting antibiotics, conducting prescription audits, training healthcare workers and raising public awareness. Antibiotic smart hospitals are those that implement antimicrobial stewardship alongside infection control methods. AMS-compliant hospitals are those that achieve a full score by adhering to all primary care standards. Family health centres (FHC) at Aruvikkara, Anad, Kallikkad and urban primary health centre (UPHC) Chalai are the four institutions that achieved full qualification by scoring 15 on 15 in the standards. FHC Karakulam, Thiruvallam, Amboori, Uzhamalakkal, Nagaroor, UPHC Vattiyoorkavu, and Kalippankulam scored between 12 and 14 on 15.
