NAIROBI, Kenya, July 14 – Gertrude’s Children’s Hospital has become the first hospital in Kenya to receive global accreditation for antimicrobial stewardship, as it called on healthcare providers and the public to step up efforts to combat antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
The hospital received the Global Antimicrobial Stewardship Accreditation (GAMSAS) from the British Society for Antimicrobial Stewardship in recognition of its responsible use of antibiotics.
Chief Executive Officer Robert Nyarango said the accreditation reflects the hospital’s commitment to protecting patients and preserving the effectiveness of life-saving medicines.
“We are proud to be the first organisation in Kenya to achieve BSAC GAMSAS accreditation. It is a commitment to every patient who walks through our doors that we will use antibiotic medications responsibly,” he said.
Gertrude’s said compliance with antibiotic stewardship practices improved from 66 percent in 2020 to 94 percent in 2025, while adherence to standard treatment guidelines rose from 50 percent to 86 percent over the same period.
The hospital has also restricted the use of selected antibiotics unless approved by an infectious disease specialist or supported by laboratory evidence.
Paediatric infectious disease specialist Dr. Joseph Mbuthia warned that antimicrobial resistance is becoming a major public health challenge in Kenya.
“AMR is a growing public health concern in Kenya, posing a serious threat to human, animal and environmental health. The achievement underscores the critical role healthcare institutions play in addressing antimicrobial resistance,” he said.
Global estimates show AMR was directly responsible for 1.27 million deaths in 2019, while about 28,500 deaths in Kenya have been linked to the condition.
