Gertrude’s wins global accreditation as Kenya steps up antimicrobial stewardship
Gertrude’s Children’s Hospital has become the first healthcare institution in Kenya to receive a globally recognised accreditation for antimicrobial stewardship, with health experts using the milestone to call for stronger action against the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
The hospital was awarded the Global Antimicrobial Stewardship Accreditation (GAMSAS) by the British Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy (BSAC), recognising its adherence to international standards on the responsible use of antibiotics to improve patient care and preserve the effectiveness of life-saving medicines.
AMR poses growing health threat
Speaking after receiving the accreditation, Gertrude’s Children’s Hospital Chief Executive Officer Dr Robert Nyarango said the recognition reflects the hospital’s commitment to improving clinical outcomes while supporting Kenya’s National Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance.
“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, especially as antimicrobial resistance continues to threaten public health outcomes,” said Dr Nyarango.
He urged healthcare providers and patients to avoid the unnecessary use of antibiotics, noting that misuse accelerates the development of drug-resistant infections. He also acknowledged the British Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy and Pfizer for supporting the accreditation process.
Antimicrobial resistance occurs when bacteria, viruses and fungi evolve to resist medicines designed to treat infections, making illnesses more difficult and costly to manage. According to The Lancet, AMR directly caused 1.27 million deaths globally in 2019 and was associated with nearly five million deaths. The Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation estimates that about 28,500 deaths in Kenya have been linked to antimicrobial resistance.
Stronger stewardship delivering results
Gertrude’s Children’s Hospital said it has strengthened antibiotic stewardship through stricter prescribing practices and evidence-based treatment protocols.
Dr Joseph Mbuthia, a paediatric infectious disease consultant and chairperson of the hospital’s Antimicrobial Stewardship Committee, said the accreditation highlights the critical role healthcare institutions play in slowing the spread of antimicrobial resistance.
“AMR is a growing public health concern in Kenya, posing a serious threat to human, animal and environmental health. This achievement underscores the critical role healthcare institutions play in addressing antimicrobial resistance,” he said.
Since 2019, the hospital has maintained a restricted list covering selected World Health Organisation Watch antibiotics, all Reserve antibiotics and selected antiviral and antifungal medicines. Their use requires microbiological evidence or approval from an infectious disease specialist after an initial treatment period.
The programme has delivered measurable improvements, with antimicrobial stewardship compliance rising from 66 per cent in 2020 to 94 per cent in 2025, surpassing the hospital’s original target. Compliance with standard treatment guidelines also increased from 50 per cent in 2022 to 86 per cent in 2025.
The accreditation supports Kenya’s National Action Plan on the Prevention and Containment of Antimicrobial Resistance, which seeks to improve public awareness, strengthen surveillance systems, enhance infection prevention measures and promote the responsible use of antimicrobial medicines nationwide.
