Conference to launch the National Strategy on the Prevention of Antimicrobial Resistance and World Antimicrobial Awareness (AMR) Week.

The new National Strategy on the Prevention of Antimicrobial Resistance for the period 2023-2030, with a vision to 2045 aims to unite all of Viet Nam to protect the power of medicines and tackle the complex and rapidly growing threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

The Ministry of Health collaborates with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Ministry of Industry and Trade, the World Health Organization, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, FHI 360, with support from the EU and other partners to organize the Conference to launch and implement the National AMR Strategy 2023-2030 with vision to 2045 in Ha Noi today, during World AMR Awareness Week. Viet Nam’s comprehensive National AMR Strategy calls for action from individuals and all sectors of the society and the economy, including human, animal, plant and environmental health.

AMR occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites change over time and no longer respond to medicines. Infections become increasingly difficult or impossible to treat.

In human health, Viet Nam is among the countries with a high rate of antimicrobial resistance due to the overuse and misuse of antimicrobials, especially antibiotics; drug stores selling antimicrobials without a prescription; and doctors inappropriately prescribing antimicrobials.

The new National AMR Strategy is part of intensified work by the Government of Viet Nam, in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) and other international partners, to combat the rise of AMR. It outlines plans to enhance surveillance, promote responsible use of antibiotics in health care and agriculture, and improve public awareness about the consequences of antibiotic misuse and overuse both in humans and animals. The strategy is led by the Ministry of Health, along with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Ministry of Industry and Trade, and other relevant Ministries.

Ministry of Health Vice Minister Tran Văn Thuấn said, “AMR continues to be a concern in Viet Nam despite the progress we have made over the past 10 years. Our recent report on AMR showed an increasing trend over the last decade in antimicrobial resistance from antibiogram data. Many challenges still remain, including limited capacity of laboratories to conduct surveillance and analyze data, inappropriate prescribing of antimicrobials, and lack of enforcement of regulations on the sale of antibiotics. The Government’s commitment to addressing this issue is reflected in the comprehensive National AMR Strategy we are launching this week.

“We call on all sectors of society and provinces to join hands in implementing and supporting these initiatives to safeguard the health of people now and the health of future generations."

Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development Vice Minister Phung Duc Tien said: “Viet Nam has banned the use of antibiotics as growth promoters since 2018, issued a prescription circular which requires prescription on all antibiotics use in animals since 2020, and will phase out the prophylaxis use of antibiotics in the livestock sector by 2026. These are concrete efforts that can reduce the amount of antimicrobial use in livestock and reduce the risks of antimicrobial resistance in both animals and human. Farmers can promote disease prevention measures to minimize the need to use antibiotics including good animal husbandry and welfare such as appropriate management, housing, feeding, and water supply; implement effective biosecurity, and use efficient and relevant vaccinations.”

WHO Viet Nam Representative Dr Angela Pratt commended the Government’s approach and the launch during World AMR Awareness Week, whose theme is “preventing antimicrobial resistance together”.

“The strategy is a significant step towards reducing AMR, which WHO has declared one of the top 10 public health threats facing humanity. Tackling it will require urgent and stronger coordinated action among the human, animal, plant and environmental health sectors.

“Making progress – especially on the appropriate use of antimicrobials – will also require a unified effort from policymakers, health-care providers, the private sector, farmers, and, most importantly, each and every person in Viet Nam. In this important work, the Government and people of Viet Nam can count on the support of WHO, along with other partners,” Dr Pratt said.

FAO Viet Nam Representative Dr Rémi Nono Womdim said that “AMR in food and agriculture poses risks to food systems, livelihoods and economies. Beside their direct negative impact on animals, AMR can also affect significantly food production, food security and farmer livelihoods. Moreover, AMR can spread among different hosts and the environment, and antimicrobial resistant microorganisms can contaminate the food chain. This makes AMR a problem that crosses sectoral boundaries. Good husbandry practices, biosecurity, sanitation, hygiene, vaccination and other infection prevention measures are essential to reduce the need for antimicrobials in animals. The use of Integrated Pest Management and good agricultural practices provides a system-wide approach to keeping crops healthy, and only use chemical pesticides and antimicrobials as a last option.”

People should only take antibiotics and other antimicrobials prescribed by a qualified health professional, always follow health workers’ advice when using antibiotics; never share or use leftover antibiotics; prevent infections by regularly washing hands, preparing food hygienically, avoiding close contact with sick people, practicing safer sex, and keeping vaccinations up to date.

The strategy also addresses animal health. Viet Nam has a high usage of antibiotics in the livestock sector. The overuse and misuse of antibiotics in farming animal husbandry, and aquaculture have contributed to the overall emergence of AMR and increasing the risk of infection for consumers.

At the Conference, during World AMR Awareness Week, Ministries and partners joined hands to take action to respond to WHO’s call to action on “preventing antimicrobial resistance together” and pledged their commitment to reducing the emergence and spread of AMR.