Filenews 19 June 2025 - by Marilena Panagi
The Ministry of Health has launched a campaign to tackle hospital-acquired infections, overconsumption of antibiotics and the consequent antimicrobial resistance in Cyprus. The results of the Cypriot hospitals in the last two European reviews have forced the competent authorities to regroup, with the Ministry of Health having prepared, in the last year, in cooperation with the Central Committee for Infections, a series of clinical guidelines which it has already sent to hospitals, public and private, as well as to all health service providers, calling on professionals to comply and cooperate.
It is recalled that according to the latest data published by the European Centre for Infection Control, in May 2024, Cyprus was very far from the European Union's targets, in terms of hospital-acquired infections, with our rates reaching 13.8%, while the European average was 7%.
In total, to date, 20 different clinical guidelines have been prepared and sent to the hospitals of Cyprus regarding infections in health care providers and some of them concern the way to manage infections caused by various microbes and bacteria, which according to European data, Cyprus seems to be facing a significant problem.
Typical is the example of one of the most frequent in-hospital infections, MRSA, for which in 2019 a target was set for a reduction in incidence by 18% by 2030, so that Cyprus would reach 5.6 cases per 100,000 population in 2030 and the Cypriot rate not only did not decrease but rose in 2023 to 15.5 cases per 100,000 inhabitants.
Cyprus also had significant percentages in terms of infections caused by the use of urinary catheters, with the relevant guidelines also being sent to hospitals.
"The goal of the Ministry of Health and the Central Committee of Infections," the deputy general director and director of medical services, Elizabeth Constantinou, told "F", "is to continue this effort that began in the last year and a half. From time to time and as soon as a number of clinical guidelines are prepared, they are sent to all hospitals, public and private, and this process is ongoing." These guidelines, he explained, "are addressed to all health professionals and staff involved in the provision of health services and aim to promote the safety of both patients and staff, through the effective management and prevention of infections."
In parallel with the guidelines, he added, "the drafts of two national strategies have been prepared. One concerns hospital-acquired infections and the second is antimicrobial resistance", while "by the end of the year, special software is planned to operate in which hospitals will be asked to register both the cases of infections they record, as well as their data in relation to the administration of antibiotics. Hospital-acquired infections are directly linked to antimicrobial resistance, which is linked to the consumption of antibiotics, so, through the software, a comprehensive recording will be done to ensure proper surveillance." At the moment, he said, "legal aspects of the operation of this particular software are being studied."
In addition to these, "and because these issues are very serious for the Ministry of Health, the establishment and operation of committees for the surveillance of infections and antibiotic logistics in hospitals is being promoted. In fact, some hospitals have already operated these committees", while, at the same time, "the training program for infection nurses has been reactivated, which hospitals must also have in order to properly monitor, manage and implement the guidelines".
The effort made by the Ministry of Health in the last year and a half, said Ms. Constantinou, "is the first organized effort that is being made and is related to the management of nosocomial infections, the use of antibiotics and antimicrobial resistance. There is planning and it seems that the scientists with whom the Ministry collaborates are particularly sensitive and participate in the whole effort with great zeal, since they recognize the problem and aim to improve the situation. Let's not forget," he concluded, "that as Cyprus, we also participate in various European programs and we have to follow some data, implement various actions, so our effort is not only at the national level but also at the European level."
