The infection rate among patients in Cyprus hospitals has reached 13.8%

The Ministry of Health has launched a campaign to combat hospital-acquired infections, the overuse of antibiotics, and consequently, microbial resistance to them, as the infection rate in the country has reached 13.8%, compared to the EU average of 7%.

Low performance of Cyprus hospitals in the last two European reviews prompted authorities to take action. Over the past year, the Ministry of Health, together with the Central Infection Committee, has prepared a series of clinical guidelines that were distributed to all hospitals, both public and private, as well as to all healthcare providers.

Recent data published by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control in May 2024 showed that Cyprus is far from the EU targets for hospital infections: the infection rate reached 13.8%, while the European average is 7%.

To date, a total of 20 different clinical guidelines focused on infections in medical institutions have been prepared and sent to hospitals in Cyprus. Some guidelines are dedicated to the treatment of infections caused by various microbes and bacteria, which Cyprus faces significant problems with, according to European data.

High rates of infections caused by urinary catheter use have also been noted in Cyprus, and corresponding recommendations have also been sent to hospitals.