Swedish preschools lead the way during World AMR Awareness Week 2024

2024-12-15

During World AMR Awareness Week 2024, four Swedish preschools received the Antibiotic Smart Sweden certification for their exemplary infection prevention work.

Pioneering healthier preschools!

The preschools in Vindeln, Gävle, Vingåker, and Säffle represent successful pioneers from Antibiotic Smart Sweden’s national initiative for healthier preschools, which has engaged thirty preschools across the country.

The certification program is developed by Antibiotic Smart Sweden in partnership with the Swedish Public Health Agency, RISE Research Institutes of Sweden and ReAct Europe.

Maria Pränting, ReAct Europe says:

“Our certified preschools demonstrate that systematic infection prevention not only protects health but also enhances children’s educational experience. These institutions serve as models for scaling up infection prevention across the education sector.”

Certification program

The certification program, developed by Antibiotic Smart Sweden in partnership with the Public Health Agency, RISE Research Institutes of Sweden and ReAct Europe, requires preschools to meet strict criteria including:
• Implementing comprehensive hygiene protocols
• Conducting regular staff training
• Delivering age-appropriate health education
• Establishing community partnerships for infection prevention

The certification events showcase how the preschools have implemented systematic infection prevention protocols, including enhanced hygiene practices, staff training, and innovative educational activities for children. These measures have demonstrably reduced infection spread and improved attendance rates.

70 pilots in Sweden

70 sites from 18 municipalities and 8 regions in Sweden have signed-up to work with the Antibiotic Smart Sweden criteria as pilots from varied fields such as schools, pre-schools, primary care centers, hospitals, long-term care facilities and water treatment facilities, seven of these are certified. This is a whole of society approach to safe-guard life-saving antibiotics.