Hanoi, Vietnam – Vietnam, in collaboration with international healthcare research partners, has officially launched its national strategy on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) prevention and control for 2023-2030. This significant initiative was introduced at a two-day conference starting on November 20, coinciding with World AMR Awareness Week.

According to Luong Ngoc Khue, Vice Chairman of the National Medical Council, the strategy was issued through a decision by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on September 25 this year. This move signifies Vietnam’s concerted efforts in partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO) and other global entities to address the escalating challenge of AMR.

According to Vietnam News Agency, Deputy Minister of Health Tran Van Thuan highlighted that despite scientific advancements, AMR continues to be a pressing issue in Vietnam, with antibiotic resistance trends showing an upward trajectory over recent years. He outlined various challenges faced by the country in this regard, including limited laboratory capacity for monitoring and data analysis, inappropriate prescription of antibiotics, and insufficient enforcement of regulations governing antibiotic sales.

Deputy Minister Thuan emphasized the need for a collective commitment from all sectors, agencies, organizations, and individuals to use antibiotics responsibly and support the nationwide campaign against antibiotic resistance.

A WHO representative in Vietnam praised the Vietnamese government’s proactive approach and responsiveness, especially during the World AMR Awareness Week. This global campaign, observed annually from November 18-24, aims to raise awareness and promote actions to combat AMR.

Vietnam’s efforts in developing and implementing a national action plan on AMR prevention and control have not gone unnoticed. The country is one of the first six in the Asia-Pacific region to undertake such an initiative, gaining international recognition for its contributions to the global fight against AMR.