Workshop on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) :From Research toward Action

On 11 January 2017, "Workshop on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR): from Research toward Action" was held in Hanoi at the National Institute of Nutrition (NIN), of which aims were to facilitate an "One-health" approach of medical and animal sectors to combat with AMR and seek future solutions for preventing the spread of AMR bacteria in Vietnam. More than 60 stakeholders engaging in AMR issues gathered from the Minitry of Health (MOH), the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD), from international partners such as JICA, WHO, FAO, USAID and scientists from Denmark, Sweden and Japan. The workshop was opened by the speech from the Director General of Vietnam Food Administration (VFA) of MOH and moved on to an overview of AMR situations in Vietnam by a project member. From animal sector, FAO introduced the latest action plan initiated by MARD to control antibiotic use in animal production. An example of the national surveillance on AMR in human, food and animal was outlined by a researcher from Denmark, which opened participants' eyes to see an actual solution in the national level. A SATREPS project scientist alarmed, showing diverse genetic changes of AMR bacteria in a community, that the community may be a reservoir of AMR bacteria. Notably, the Deputy Minister of MOH introduced the latest One-health policy just approved by the Prime Minister to order a strong collaboration between MOH and MARD to control and limit AMR situation in Vietnam. Particularly he empathized on a synergy between hospitals, preventive medicine and food safety. The Deputy Minister also praised the first study on AMR in foods by the SATREPS project in Vietnam and its intervention actions in community to reduce AMR with a strategic communication. Technical sessions in the afternoon were opened by critical situations in hospitals reported by researchers of Sweden and the National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology (NIHE). Furthermore, WHO pinned down a global action, the Global AMR Surveillance System (GLASS), that is starting in Vietnam to collect data on AMR. Then, all participants discussed how to promote more collaboration between health-animal sectors in Vietnam, how to communicate with people, farmers, etc. to change their behaviors. Finally, the Director of NIN closed the workshop having paid many thanks to the efforts by project members and a strong collaboration with other stakeholders.

Welcome speech by the Deputy Minister of MOH.

Opening remarks by the Director General of VFA, MOH.

Closing remarks by the Director of NIN.

Agenda