National Strategic Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance in Lao PDR 2019 – 2023.

This National Strategic Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) in Lao PDR 2019 – 2023 describes the vision to reduce AMR-related human and animal morbidity and mortality and economic impact. Five goals have been set, including: (1) reduce by 30% the number of infections caused by antimicrobial-resistant pathogens, (2) sales of antibiotics on prescription by doctors or veterinarians at 30%, (3) reduce by 20% the consumption of antimicrobials in both the human and animal sectors, (4) doctors and veterinarians to educate 80% of consumers on AMR and increase awareness of AMR and appropriate use of antimicrobials to more than 20%, and (5) ensure the country does not score less than 3 in the AMR-related indicators in the Joint External Evaluation of the implementation of the International Health Regulations (IHR).
AMR is recognized as one of the greatest threats to global health, food security and development today. The Myanmar National Action Plan on AMR for the period 2017 – 2022 reinforces the government’s commitment to make universal healthcare and animal welfare, food security a reality.
The Policy seeks to enable more inclusive and efficient agricultural and food system. The national strategic plan on AMR comprises 5 strategic objectives: 1. Improve awareness and understanding of AMR; 2. Strengthen the AMR surveillance system; 3. Improve infection prevention and control; 4. Optimize the use of antimicrobial agents in humans and animals; 5. Improve coordination and budget support. Actions proposed include: Raise awareness of AMR and the need for multisectoral collaboration to high-level executives; Strengthen the Infection Prevention and Control committee; Strengthen knowledge about infectious diseases for all healthcare staff and veterinarians in related sectors; Improve waste management and sanitation; Establish, update and enforce laws and regulations on antibiotic use; Monitor AMC and AMU in humans, animals and animal feeds; Provide capacity building on the rational use of drugs (RUD)/antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) for medical doctors, veterinarians and pharmacists; etc.
In terms of governance, the Policy, with an associated operational plan, highlights the multi-sectoral commitment to tackling the issue of antimicrobial resistance in Lao PDR. Actions proposed include: 1. Strengthen the function of the multi-sectoral AMR Committee to oversee the finalization and implementation of the national strategic plan; 2. Strengthen regulation on antimicrobials; 3. Build evidence to demonstrate the economic impact of AMR to inform policy; 4. Ensure sustainable implementation of the national strategic plan to control AMR, including appropriate resource allocation and building a business case.