National Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance

This National Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance is a 5-year nationwide sectoral document aiming at combating the threat posed by antimicrobial resistance (AMR) to public health as well as global health security, as reiterated by the World Health Assembly (WHA) that in May of 2015 urged Member States to align their National Action Plan on AMR with the Global Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance (GAP-AMR) which was endorsed at that time. The Strategic Objectives of NAP-MR of Bahrain are aligned with the Global Action Plan and based on the following national needs and priorities (i) improving awareness and understanding of AMR through effective communication, education, and training; (ii) strengthen knowledge and evidence through surveillance of AMR; (iii) reduce the incidence of infection through an effective control in healthcare settings, in animals and food products, and the community and environment; (iv) optimize the use of antimicrobial agents in health care, and in animals and food through strengthening regulations and ensuring access and surveillance of antimicrobial use; (v) promote investments for AMR activities, including research and innovations through new medicines and diagnostics, alternative approaches to manage infectious diseases.
To make agriculture more productive and sustainable, the Plan aims to (i) introduce infection prevention and control programs in veterinary settings and animal husbandry; (ii) establish national policies on the use of antimicrobial agents in terrestrial and aquatic animals and agriculture; (iii) establish a program for infection control in animal health and establish a reference lab for AMR in animals; (iv) establish national guidelines for antibiotic use in animals; and (v) establish a well-structured and approved educational program for health care workers and workers in the animal sector.
As for Governance, the NAP implementation requires to establish a governance mechanism including (i) a functional multi-sectoral coordinating group to oversee and, when necessary, to coordinate AMR-related activities in all sectors to ensure a systematic, comprehensive approach; (ii) technical working group(s); and (iii) the participation of national focal points on AMR in the human and animal health and agriculture sectors.