National Strategic Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance (2026–2035) for the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (PDR).

This updated National Strategic Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance (2026–2035) outlines the framework for the Lao People’s Democratic Republic to address antimicrobial resistance (AMR) across human health, animal, agriculture, and environmental sectors using a One Health and people-centred approach. Its primary goal is to minimize the health, social, and economic burdens of AMR through strengthened national ownership and cross-sectoral governance.
The policy document adopts a phased implementation strategy spanning two five-year periods: Phase I (2026–2030) focuses on optimizing core surveillance, infection prevention, stewardship, and workforce capacities, while Phase II (2031–2035) aims to integrate these interventions into routine national systems and domestic financing. Five measurable goals guide this plan, including achieving 90% IPC minimum standards, increasing AMR awareness by 30%, maintaining Access group antibiotic usage at 70%, reducing animal sector antimicrobial consumption by 30%, and achieving a Joint External Evaluation score of at least 3.
To achieve these outcomes, the Plan prioritizes six strategic interventions: Promoting public, youth, and professional awareness through social and behavioral sciences; Enhancing high-quality AMR surveillance to inform policy and detect outbreaks; Strengthening cost-effective preventive measures, including IPC, WASH, and vaccination; Improving rational antimicrobial use and stewardship programs while enforcing sales regulations; Ensuring sustainable One Health governance across public, private, and civil sectors; Establishing a national operational research agenda to bridge critical knowledge gaps.