PRESS RELEASE: EUHA Issues a Position Paper on Antimicrobial Resistance

DATE November 17th, 2025

19.11.2025

The European University Hospital Alliance (EUHA) is pleased to announce the release of its new Position Paper, “European Hospitals and the AMR Challenge. From Control to Prevention: How University Hospitals Can Prevent, Prepare, and Protect Against Infections and Antimicrobial Resistance”. This paper was developed through a detailed survey of experts at EUHA university hospitals, complemented with in-depth interviews with clinicians, scientists and patient organisations. The research, conducted between June and September 2025 and supported by input from EUHA, the Danish AMR Alliance and partners, informed the development of (a) concrete commitments by university hospitals and (b) proposals for policies that would support this effort.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) threatens public health and the sustainability of European health systems. EU leaders have pledged to step up action, and university hospitals are committed to playing a key role in facing this shared challenge. This paper adds evidence, ideas and momentum to these efforts.

EUHA recognises the responsibility of university hospitals to lead by doing — improving infection prevention and control, strengthening surveillance and monitoring, delivering teaching and training, and engaging proactively with partners across health and social care. EUHA members are already advancing these priorities, and further political support—together with progress in hospital and digital infrastructure—can enable Europe to move further and faster.

AMR demands a concerted and coordinated response. It is time for a new collaboration between hospitals and policymakers, with each doing all in their power to prevent, prepare and protect against infections and antimicrobial resistance – supporting one another in this shared public health mission.

What Will Hospitals Do?

Collect and share good practices within networks of university hospitals by 2030

Prioritise the highest standards of antibiotic stewardship and embed this in teaching activities

Train health and social stakeholders to play their part in fighting AMR

Optimise hospital design with input from IPC teams

Enhance infection prevention policies, including risk assessment for AMR, outbreak management and isolation precautions

Embrace the latest technologies, including digital tools and AI

Enhance laboratory capacity for rapid diagnostic tests and genotyping

Encourage vaccination, screen at-risk patients and support vaccine research

Engage with the public to raise awareness of AMR and empower them to become active partners.

What Can Policymakers Do?

Integrate hospital perspectives in policies on pandemic preparedness and crisis planning

Invest in research and innovation to generate and disseminate best practices

Support the development of improved diagnostics, as well as new vaccines and vaccine acceptance

Implement standards on stewardship & monitoring

Develop and implement guidelines on safer hospital design

Ensure an environment where researching AMR is attractive for academia

Keep AMR on the health policy agenda, integrating it into other health strategies where relevant

Prioritise efforts to ensure high adherence to vaccination programmes, to contain infection rates and thus, maintain low use of antimicrobials.

The paper is now open to individuals or entities who wish to express their support. Quotes or statements of support are welcome to be received at secretariat@euhalliance.eu. Please note that expressions of support may be used for promotional purposes.

Downloads & Links

European Hospitals and the AMR Challenge. From Control to Prevention: How University Hospitals Can Prevent, Prepare and Protect Against Infectious and Antimicrobial Resistance.Download

European Hospitals and the AMR Challenge (short version) Download

EUHA Press Release Download

Contact

Johan Van Eldere, EUHA Secretary-General: +32 496 20 50 17 or johan.vaneldere@euhalliance.eu & secretariat@euhalliance.eu.

Randi Munk-Jakobsen, Aarhus University Hospital: RANMUN@rm.dk