Kuwait National Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance 2022.

This Action Plan for Kuwait to combat antimicrobial resistance is a nationwide sectoral document in line with the WHO strategic objectives. It addresses the involvement of all the related sectors including human and veterinary medicine, food chain, finance, environment, and the general public consumers. The Plan focuses on the main topics concerning the battle against antimicrobial resistance, namely governance, AMR awareness, surveillance, infection prevention and control, and rational antimicrobial use.
The National Action Plan outlines key measures for the next five years: (i) Enhancing AMR Awareness: The Ministry of Health has initiated awareness activities using diverse channels. While AMR education is included in specific human health specialties, efforts will extend to both human and non-human health sectors, with collaboration with international organizations, encouragement for impartial AMR education from drug companies, and year-round awareness campaigns; (ii) Strengthening AMR Surveillance: Hospitals have well-equipped microbiology labs, with efforts to establish a national AMR surveillance unit and prioritize surveillance in veterinary/agriculture labs and AMR-related research projects; (iii) Improving Infection Prevention and Control (IPC): The well-established IPC pillar aims for further improvement, including digitalization of surveillance, updated national IPC guidelines, extension of IPC principles through decrees, and appointing IPC focal persons; (iv) Ensuring Rational Use of Antimicrobials: Well-established regulatory authorities are emphasized, with governance priorities, enhanced inter-ministerial communication, and antimicrobial stewardship programs in hospitals. The focus extends to guidelines for antimicrobial use in veterinary and agriculture fields, exclusive prescription-based sales, and periodic training for rational antimicrobial use in human and non-human health sectors.