We are delighted to extend our warmest congratulations to Dr Fazlollah Keshavarzi on the successful defence of his doctoral thesis titled “Impact of Carbapenem Antimicrobial Stewardship Programme (ASP) on Antibiotic Consumption, Microbial Resistance, and Clinical Outcomes in the Universiti Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC)”
A Brief Summary of the Thesis
In the face of rising antimicrobial resistance (AMR), particularly among carbapenem-resistant organisms (CROs), Dr Keshavarzi’s research offers timely and essential insights. His study rigorously evaluated the impact of a post-prescription audit and feedback policy on the use of carbapenems, a class of last-resort antibiotics, at UMMC.
Using a quasi-experimental design, he examined how this Antimicrobial Stewardship Programme (ASP) influenced antibiotic consumption, microbial resistance, and clinical outcomes such as patient mortality and hospital stay duration. Notably, while total carbapenem use remained steady, the pattern of use changed significantly. Encouragingly, the programme helped preserve the sensitivity of Gram-negative bacteria to carbapenems and did not adversely affect patient outcomes.
The study underscores the importance of prescriber adherence to ASP recommendations and provides evidence-based strategies for enhancing future stewardship interventions, including expanding audit scope and integrating digital decision support tools.
Candidate Achievements
Dr Keshavarzi’s work represents a major academic milestone and a meaningful contribution to healthcare delivery. Through methodologically sound and policy-relevant research, he has:
- Produced actionable insights for antimicrobial stewardship in hospital settings.
- Addressed a critical issue in global public health, containing the threat of antimicrobial resistance.
- Demonstrated that robust policy interventions can lead to more rational antibiotic use without compromising patient safety.
His efforts not only meet the academic rigour required of a PhD but also reflect a deep commitment to improving clinical practice and public health policy.
Contribution to Public Health
Antimicrobial resistance is a looming global crisis, threatening to undo decades of progress in modern medicine. Dr Keshavarzi’s research is an exemplar of how locally contextualised studies can have far-reaching implications. By showing that post-prescription audits can control antibiotic use and preserve drug efficacy, his findings offer a scalable model for hospitals in similar settings.
The work contributes significantly to Malaysia’s national strategy on AMR, while also offering international relevance, particularly for low- and middle-income countries where healthcare systems are under strain.
Acknowledgement
We wish to acknowledge the invaluable guidance and mentorship provided by Dr Fazlollah Keshavarzi’s supervisors, Honorary Professor Dr Ng Chiu Wan, Professor Dr Sanjay Rampal, and Professor Dr Sasheela Ponnampalavanar, whose expertise and support were instrumental in the completion of his thesis.
We extend our sincere gratitude to the external examiners, Professor Dr Prince Sharma (Panjab University, India) and Professor Dr Zaheer-Ud-Din Babar (Qatar University, Qatar), and to the internal examiner, Dr Nusaibah Abdul Rahim (Faculty of Pharmacy, Universiti Malaya).
We would also like to thank the Committee of Examiners for their thorough evaluation and insightful feedback, including Professor Dr Tan Maw Pin, Chairperson of the viva voce session; Professor Dr Shahrul Bahyah Kamaruzzaman, Deputy Dean (Postgraduate), Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya; and Professor Dr Victor CW Hoe, Head of Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Universiti Malaya.
Congratulations and Future Expectations
Congratulations once again to Dr Fazlollah Keshavarzi for this exceptional academic and professional achievement. Your dedication and hard work have culminated in research that is both academically robust and socially impactful.
As you move forward, we look forward to seeing your continued contributions to antimicrobial stewardship, evidence-based healthcare, and global health policy. The public health community stands to benefit greatly from your insights and innovations.
Well done, Dr Keshavarzi: we are proud of you!
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