Multi-sectoral collaboration to combat AMR

One Health Committee and AMR actions in Chinese Taipei

Addressing OIE Strategy Objective: Improve awareness and understanding

From the inaugural meeting of the multi-sectoral One Health Committee in Chinese Taipei in 2019, the National Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) was developed. Key activities implemented subsequently include education and awareness programs for veterinary students and members of the public, and harmonisation of AMR testing protocols.

The Bureau of Animal and Plant Health Inspection and Quarantine (BAPHIQ) in Chinese Taipei initiated the development of a National Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance in 2019. This action plan employs a One Health approach and the convening of the One Health Committee comprising both medical and veterinary sectors. This result is an important milestone for its development.

Key focus areas covered by the action plan are based on the Global Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance and the OIE Strategy on Antimicrobial Resistance and the Prudent Use of Antimicrobials, and include the following:

1. Public awareness and education
2. Surveillance and monitoring of AMU and AMR
3. Infection prevention and control
4. Prudent use of antimicrobials
5. Research and development
6. International collaboration.

Activities to implement the National Action Plan

To improve AMR awareness and understanding, BAPHIQ and Taiwan’s Centers for Disease Control (CDC) held a cross-sectoral AMR awareness week campaign during World Antibiotic Awareness Week in 2019. Based on the OIE AMR awareness tools, BAPHIQ translated communication materials into Chinese and published them on websites and social media. These outcomes have been helpful for authorities to promote AMR policies to members of the public.

Additionally, an AMR education program for veterinary medicine college students was conducted, starting in 2020. The aim of this program is to increase the awareness of veterinary students about AMR.

Collection of antimicrobial use (AMU) and AMR data are important to facilitate the combating of AMR. AMU surveillance and monitoring in Taiwan is conducted in accordance with the requirements of the OIE. Laboratory testing techniques and proficiency tests for AMR were harmonized during a training workshop program to improve the AMR surveillance program. For AMR surveillance, annual data are published online (reports available in Chinese include 2017, 2018 and 2019).

Monitoring and evaluation

Several benefits have resulted from such implementation of activities according to the National Action Plan.

• The intersectoral collaboration involved in development and implementation of this action plan on AMR increased understanding between human and animal sectors on this important issue.
• Publication of the Chinese version of the OIE AMR awareness communication materials enabled stakeholders to have a comprehensive understanding of the AMR issue and an increased awareness about responsible and prudent use of antimicrobials.
• Activities at veterinary medicine colleges have promoted an early professional education on antimicrobial use to students. College professors have also become more familiar with this issue.
• The amount of antimicrobials used annually is collected from customs authorities and manufacturers. This AMU data collection is helpful for authorities to understand AMU in animals.
• The national AMR surveillance system targets both healthy and diseased animals to prevent and manage AMR. The data is collected by the Agricultural Technology Research Institute (ATRI), and prepared by BAPHIQ to be published in BAPHIQ’s annual report for data transparency and public awareness.
• Harmonization of the AMR testing protocol in accordance with international standards is critical for combating AMR. The workshop on AMR testing was important to improve technical skills while also providing a networking platform to support members and to share experiences with each other.