Background
The National Strategic Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) in Lao PDR for 2019 2023 describes the vision to reduce AMR-related human and animal morbidity and mortality and economic impact. NAP sets, 5 goals namely,
- Number of infections caused by antimicrobial-resistant pathogens to reduce by 30%,
- Sales of antibiotics on prescription by doctors or veterinarians at 30%
- Consumption of antimicrobials in both the human and animal sectors to be reduced by 20%
- Doctors and veterinarians to educate 80% of consumers on AMR and increase awareness of AMR and appropriate use of antimicrobials to more than 20%
- Ensure the country does not score less than 3 in the AMR-related indicators in the Joint IHR EE.
Objectives:
Through the workshop it is supposed to achieve the overall goal of multisectoral evaluation/review of NAP implementation, identifying the areas that require further attention in implementation while identifying the sources of AMR/AMU surveillance data and data sharing methods, so that they can be used for the improvement of NAP and policy making, resource allocation.
The workshop focused on:
- Assess progress in implementing National Action Plans on AMR, covering governance, coordination, monitoring, and integration into plans and budgets
- Identify the key gaps in NAP implementation and make recommendations to overcome the gaps
- Lay the foundation to setting up a sustainable multi-sectoral platform/mechanism to share AMR/AMU surveillance data at country level
- Identify the progress made following the previous antimicrobial supply chain workshop
- Discuss on using communication methods to ensure responsible and prudent use of antimicrobials
Stakeholders attending the event:
- Animal health sector – veterinary service, fisheries
- Public health sector
- Academia – who conduct AMR surveillance research
- FAO country office and other relevant development partners
The two-and-a-half-day workshop was attended by 38 participants.
