Kingdom Saudi Arabia National Action Plan on Combating Antimicrobial Resistance.

This national action plan for the Kingdom Saudi Arabia to combat antimicrobial resistance has been formulated in the line of the WHO five objectives outlined in the global action plan on antimicrobial resistance. The following strategic objectives has been laid down: Objective 1. Increase National Awareness about AMR; Objective 2. Improve knowledge of AMR and related topics; Objective 3. Set up a national surveillance system for antimicrobial resistance; Objective 4. Build laboratory capacity to produce high-quality microbiological data for patient management and support surveillance activities in both human and animal sectors; Objective 5. Establish a national infection prevention and control program; Objective 6. Introduce infection prevention and control program in veterinary settings and animal husbandry; Objective 7. Limit the development and spread of AMR outside health settings by infection prevention and control; Objective 8. Ensure uninterrupted access to high-quality antimicrobial medicines; Objective 9. Improve and measure appropriate use of antimicrobial agents in health care; Objective 10. Ensure prudent use of antimicrobial agents in terrestrial and aquatic animals and agriculture; Objective 11. Identify gaps in research and prepare the economic case for utilization of new medicines, diagnostic tools, vaccines and other interventions.
Within the 11 strategic objectives of the National Action Plan, 28 key strategic interventions were developed, including: Establish an evidence-based communication program targeting the public and healthcare providers for both human and animal health; Include AMR and related topics as a core component of professional education, training, certification and development; Establish a national coordination structure for surveillance of AMR; Designate and develop reference microbiology laboratory facilities to coordinate an effective epidemiologically surveillance of antimicrobial resistance; Designate a national reference laboratory for AMR surveillance; .Awareness and Education on stewardship for Healthcare facilities & veterinary practice; Restrict use of critically important antimicrobials for human medicine in food production animals; and Study the cost and economic burden of AMR in animals; etc.
In terms of governance, the National Action Plan addresses the need for effective “one health” approach involving coordination among numerous national sectors and actors, including human and veterinary medicine, agriculture, finance, environment, and well-informed consumers. Therefore, a large committee of all stakeholders was formed with five technical subcommittees were established to addresses every aspect to contain antimicrobial resistance in the country.