FAMAGUSTA GAZETTE – The Health Ministry has recently launched a national campaign to curb hospital-acquired infections and reduce the misuse of antibiotics, as Cyprus continues to struggle with infection rates nearly double the EU average.
The move comes in response to two consecutive poor evaluations in European reviews and newly released data showing hospital-acquired infection rates in Cyprus at 13.8%, compared to the EU average of 7%.
Over the past year, the Health Ministry, in coordination with the Central Infections Committee, has developed and distributed 20 clinical guidelines to all public and private hospitals, as well as healthcare providers.
The guidelines target prevention and management of healthcare-associated infections, with a focus on bacterial resistance and antibiotic stewardship.
Authorities say the campaign aims to align national healthcare practices with EU benchmarks and reduce long-term risks posed by microbial resistance. The guidelines also emphasize stricter hygiene protocols, improved diagnostics and responsible antibiotic prescriptions in clinical settings.