Following the completion of the Antimicrobial Stewardship (AMS) Training Program for Level III Hospitals last year, the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) kick starts the AMS program, this time for Level II Hospitals.

RITM convened its first batch of participants, consisting of 13 government and six private hospitals across the National Capital Region, at the El Cielito Hotel, Sta. Rosa, Laguna last April 3, 2018.

“The plan is to train all the hospitals across the country, because this will be a licensing requirement by the Department of Health for all hospitals in the future,” explained RITM AMS Team Leader Dr. Jemelyn Garcia.

As the rates of resistance from pathogens continues to increase, the Level II Hospitals underwent a four-day intensive training to equip their officers in implementing the AMS program in their respective hospitals.

Along with RITM, DOH has identified four other training hubs – Jose B. Lingad Memorial Regional Hospital, Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital, Southern Philippines Medical Center, and Philippine General Hospital – who will spearhead the stewardship program to Level II hospitals all over the country this 2018.

The Department of Health (DOH) with the support from the World Health Organization (WHO) established the National AMS program which envisions a nation protected against the threats of AMR through the implementation of an integrated, comprehensive, and sustainable program.

DOH has set a timeline that all hospitals both public and private shall be trained on AMS by the end of 2020.

by Allenor Enciso, Communication and Engagement Office [RITM Web Team]