A system for monitoring infections and antibiotic use is being launched in Cyprus

Cyprus, which ranks first in the EU in terms of microbial resistance and remains one of the leaders in excessive antibiotic use, is implementing an electronic platform for collecting data on hospital-acquired infections and the use of antibacterial drugs.

According to a decision of the Council of Ministers, all hospitals in the country — both public and private — are required to establish their own infection control committees and antibiotic stewardship groups. Minister of Health Michalis Damianou stressed that bacterial resistance to antibiotics “poses a serious threat to patient safety and public health.”

Recent European data (autumn 2024) show that Cyprus ranks first in the EU in MRSA levels (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus). In addition, there is an increase in cases of Escherichia coli resistant to third-generation cephalosporins, and Klebsiella pneumoniae resistant to carbapenems — a rate that has risen from 2.6 to 9.8 cases per 100,000 people.

The Ministry of Health is also finalizing the National Strategy to reduce antibiotic consumption, microbial resistance, and hospital-acquired infections to improve patient safety and the efficiency of the healthcare system.