Today is the European antibiotic day and a lot of focus is on the work against antibiotic resistance. This is because antibiotic resistance is increasing in Sweden according to figures from the Public Health Authority. One way to counteract resistance is that the healthcare system does not prescribe more antibiotics than necessary. Gotland has long been high in antibiotic use.
- We have tried to analyze this but have not figured out what it is due to. Gotland has been high for a long time. Previously, the highest cities were Malmö, Stockholm and Gothenburg. They have declined significantly and Gotland ended up being the highest in the country, says Sven Montelius, infection control physician in the Gotland Region.
In recent years, a reduction has begun to be seen, which is also confirmed in the Public Health Authority's quarterly report.
- It has been an arduous job for a long time. I think lately it's been a little more stable when it comes to staffing in primary care and I also think it's important that there is commitment and responsibility at all levels, says Sven Montelius.