Ministry of Health monitoring drug-resistant bacteria at Milton Cato Memorial Hospital

The Ministry of Health, Wellness, Environmental Health and Energy (MOHWEE) said it is monitoring a drug-resistant bacterium that has been detected at the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital (MCMH),and it has put in place a series of measures in response.

In a release the ministry is informing the public “…that, through its routine laboratory and antimicrobial resistance surveillance systems, four patients with wounds with a drug-resistant bacterium known as Carbapenem-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB), with the NDM resistance mechanism, have been identified at the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital (MCMH)”.

The ministry has provided a full explanation of the situation noting: Acinetobacter Baumannii- is a type of bacteria that can cause infections, especially in people who are very sick or hospitalized.

Carbapenem-resistant (CRAB) – the bacteria have become resistant to carbapenems, which are powerful antibiotics normally used to treat serious infections.

New Delhi metallo-ß-lactamase (NDM) resistance mechanism – the bacteria produce an enzyme called NDM that can break down certain antibiotics, including carbapenems.

“It is important to note at this time that the term ‘resistant’ means that some antimicrobials including antibiotics normally used to treat serious infections may no longer work effectively against it,” the MOHWEE explained.

” This can make infections more difficult to treat, but it does not mean that treatment is impossible,” it stated.

“The detection of these cases does not mean that members of the general public are at immediate increased risk.

“This detection has triggered our response to further detect, contain and reduce the spread within the hospital setting.”

The ministry has outlined a set of measures that are currently being undertaken to address the issue. These include :

* Enhanced Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) practices.

* Continued laboratory and environmental testing.

* Antimicrobial resistance surveillance.

* Contact tracing.

* Review of possible epidemiological links between the cases.

* Environmental and equipment cleaning and sanitation.

* Monitoring for any additional cases.

* Restrictions on elective surgeries.

The MOHWEE has noted that Antimicrobial resistance is a growing global public health concern.

“It occurs when bacteria and other microorganisms develop the ability to survive medicines that were previously effective against them.

“This can make infections more difficult to treat and reinforces the importance Of using antimicrobials including antibiotics responsibly and only as prescribed by a healthcare professional.”

Further, the ministry said it understands that information regarding drug-resistant organisms can cause concern.

However, the detection of these cases demonstrates the importance of the surveillance systems that are in place to identify unusual patterns early and allow public health teams to investigate and respond.

“The Ministry of Health, Wellness, Environmental Health and Energy administrative team, together with the management and clinical teams at the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital, will continue to closely monitor the situation and implement the necessary measures to protect patients, healthcare workers and the general public.”