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Multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria of the utmost importance are extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) and carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales (CRE), carbapenem-resistant <i>Acinetobacter baumannii</i> (CRAB), carbapenem-resistant <i>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</i> (CRPA), methicillin-resistant <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> (MRSA) and vancomycin-resistant <i>Enterococcus</i> spp. (VRE). In this study, an evaluation of MDR bacteria in surgical intensive care units in a tertiary referral hospital was conducted. The study aimed to characterize β-lactamases and other resistance traits of Gram-negative bacteria isolated in surgical intensive care units (ICUs). Disk diffusion and the broth dilution method were used for antibiotic susceptibility testing, whereas ESBL screening was performed through a double disk synergy test and an inhibitor-based test with clavulanic acid. A total of 119 MDR bacterial isolates were analysed. ESBL production was observed in half of the <i>Proteus mirabilis</i>, 90% of the <i>Klebsiella pneumoniae</i> and all of the <i>Enterobacter cloacae</i> and <i>Escherichia coli</i> isolates. OXA-48 carbapenemase, carried by the L plasmid, was detected in 34 <i>K. pneumoniae</i> and one <i>E. coli</i> and <i>Enterobacter cloacae</i> complex isolates, whereas NDM occurred sporadically and was identified in three <i>K. pneumoniae</i> isolates. OXA-48 positive isolates coharboured ESBLs belonging to the CTX-M family in all but one isolate. OXA-23 carbapenemase was confirmed in all <i>A. baumannii</i> isolates. The findings of this study provide valuable insight of resistance determinants of Enterobacterales and <i>A. baumannii</i> which will enhance surveillance and intervention strategies that are necessary to curb the ever-growing carbapenem resistance rates.