National Action Plan on Prevention and Containment of Antimicrobial Resistance in Liberia 2018 2022

The National Action Plan on Prevention and Containment of Antimicrobial Resistance in Liberia 2018 2022 is a national multi-sectoral strategy of Liberia. Its main objective is to prevent and control the spread of resistant organisms which ensuring continuity of successful treatment and prevention of infectious diseases with effective, safe and quality-assured antimicrobials.
In particular, the Action Plan provides to improve awareness and understanding of AMR through effective communication, education and training; strengthen knowledge and evidence base through surveillance; reduce the incidence of infection through effective sanitation, hygiene and infection prevention control measures; optimize the use of antimicrobial agents medicines in human and animal health; and ensure sustainable investment through research and development. Among others, it also provides to Conduct a country situational analysis of drug use in animal health (animal owners/traders) and make recommendations with respect to establishing animal health surveillance system; strengthen veterinarian lab capacity to confirm AMR in animal health through procurement of reagents, laboratory consumables including Culture Media (antibiotic disk); conduct one day workshop of 75 participants, including environmental technicians to develop and validate AMR laboratory detection and reporting plan; conduct 5-days sessions to train 261 health workers, livestock officers, environmental technicians and laboratory aides on AMR samples collection and Laboratory Technicians on the use of specialized diagnostics techniques and laboratory equipment; collect and transport food samples to the laboratory for analysis to monitor antibiotics residue in meat products at the slaughterhouses in country; meet inspectors at slaughterhouses on a monthly basis; monitor antibiotic residues in animal feed, pesticide residue in honey, in aquaculture and food products etc; laboratory analysis on samples collected monthly; establish an early warning system to determine risk factors of AMR; update/develop farm biosecurity guidelines for different categories of animal farms, slaughter (abattoirs) facilities, and agriculture facilities; develop and validate safe waste management guidelines (including sanitation and hygiene) for animal facilities and farms; hold a one day validation workshop for safe waste management guidelines for animal facilities and farms; orientate facilities and farms workers in the waste management guidelines; monitor the implementation of safe waste management guidelines for animal facilities and farms; printing and distribution of safe management guidelines for animal facilities and farms; adopt and implement standards published in OIE and Codex Alimentarius code of practice to minimize AMR; train famers in standard animal husbandry practices to reduce need to use antimicrobial agents; undertake regular checks on sanitation and hygiene on animal facilities and farms; undertake regular checks on animal feeds for contamination; develop/update standards for farm infrastructure that promotes infection prevention in animal handling facilities and farms; establish manure/animal waste processing plant for fertilizer production; develop guidelines for infection prevention materials for animal facilities and farms; develop recommendations for use of vaccines as a method of preventing infections in animals and reducing antimicrobial use; revise and update Animal Health Law to include AMR and update legislation for control and use of veterinary drugs (trade, use, importation, etc); identify and activate animal health regulatory body group; and monitor implementation of Animal Health Laws which includes AMR.