Coming together for World Antimicrobial Awareness Week, the Ministry of Health (MOH) and Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) joined partners, such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), today at Hanoi Medical University, committing to work together to help stop the overuse and misuse of antibiotics at  hospitals, farms and homes. They joined leaders from the National Steering Committee on Antimicrobial Resistance who called on every sector and everyone to act today to preserve the effectiveness of antimicrobials.  

“We are taking action to tackle antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Today, we are launching a new set of guidelines to instruct hospitals on what they must do to better manage the use of antimicrobials,” said Associate Professor Nguyen Truong Son, the Chairperson of Viet Nam National Steering Committee for AMR and Vice Minister of Health. “We are also looking at data on drug resistant infections and antimicrobial consumption to develop policies to contain AMR.”

The Viet Nam National Action Plan on AMR is coming to an end this year, paving the way for Ministry of Health (MOH), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) to prepare a new National Strategy on AMR for 2021-2030. WHO, FAO and other partners are ready to support the Government in this endeavor. “One of WHO’s top priorities is to continue building national capacity for the surveillance of AMR and antimicrobial consumption. These data are urgently needed to support policies on antimicrobial use in hospitals and in the community, and to manage AMR epidemics,” said Dr. Kidong Park, WHO Representative for Viet Nam. 

“Within the next 10 years, the amount of antimicrobial use in livestock production is projected to nearly double, in an effort to keep pace with the food demands of our growing human population. The food and agriculture sectors therefore have a pivotal role to play in reducing AMR epidemics. At every stage of the food chain, measures must be taken to use antimicrobials sparingly and responsibly, thus slowing the development and spread of AMR.” Rana Flowers, FAO Representative a.i. stated.

Hailed as a marvel in modern medicine, antibiotics have been a game changer in defeating dangerous bacteria – enabling more children to survive and the life expectancy of adults to be extended. But that picture is changing dramatically.  Years of overuse and misuse of antibiotics, by humans as well as for animals, has enabled the bacteria to build resistance to antibiotics, rendering them largely ineffective. Around the world, people, plants and animals are dying from infections that can no longer be treated – even with our most advanced antimicrobials.

For further information, please contact:

Ms Le Kim Dung Expert of Pharmaceutical Management – Inspection Department Viet Nam Medical Services Administration Ministry of Health Tel: 024-6273-2152 Email: [email protected]

Ms Le Thi Hue Deputy Head of Animal Drug Management Division Department of Animal Health Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development Tel: 091-217-7264 Email: [email protected]

Ms Tran Thi Loan WHO Media Focal Person World Health Organization Viet Nam Country Office Tel: 024-3850-0100 Email: [email protected]

Ms Nguyen Thuy Hang National Communications Coordinator Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations Viet Nam Tel: 024-3202-0019 Email: [email protected]

Further resources and information:
http://www.who.int/campaigns/world-antibiotic-awareness-week/en/ http://www.fao.org/antimicrobial-resistance/resources/publications-archive/en/