GTA

Support: World Health Organization (WHO) Nepal

Partners: Quality Standards and Regulation Division (QSRD), Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP)

Status: Phase Out

Objectives: This project aims to strengthen Antimicrobial Stewardship (AMS) in Nepal’s public hospitals by:

1. Conducting a situation analysis to assess the status of AMS implementation across eight public hospitals, using the core elements outlined in the WHO Antimicrobial Stewardship Toolkit. This will establish a baseline understanding of existing AMS practices, identify gaps, and prioritize key AMS components for future implementation.

2. Delivering a one-day orientation program for hospital administrators, prescribers, dispensers, and relevant staff at all eight study sites, using findings from the situational analysis and content from the WHO Toolkit to enhance awareness and capacity for effective AMS implementation.

Outcomes: The project successfully conducted a comprehensive situation analysis across eight key hospitals, one from each province plus Kathmandu Valley, assessing current AMS practices against WHO-recommended core elements. This baseline assessment provided critical evidence on strengths, gaps, and priority areas for AMS strengthening in Nepal’s healthcare system. Following the analysis, the project delivered orientation sessions tailored to the findings of each facility, reaching hospital administrators, prescribers, dispensers, and staff. These sessions equipped healthcare teams with practical knowledge and tools to initiate or strengthen AMS programs, fostering a culture of responsible antimicrobial use.

The combined analysis and capacity-building efforts contributed to improved readiness for AMS implementation at the hospital level, directly supporting Nepal’s national action plan on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and enhancing the integration of stewardship practices into routine hospital care across the country.