Assessment of the implementation of antimicrobial stewardship programs in selected healthcare facilities in Kenya

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing concern globally and is notably prevalent in Kenya. The World Health Organization (WHO) Global Action Plan (GAP) and the Kenya National Action Plan (NAP) on AMR emphasize the need for effective antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) programs to combat AMR. The USAID-funded Medicines, Technologies, and Pharmaceutical Services (MTaPS) program has supported AMS implementation in 20 healthcare facilities in Nyeri, Kisumu, Murang’a, and Kilifi counties since 2019, focusing on developing and operationalizing AMS programs based on national, WHO, and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines. However, there is paucity of information on how the AMS programs have been implemented in Nyeri and Kisumu Counties. This study evaluates the progress in AMS program implementation in these two counties between 2019 and 2023.