Analysis of AMR Plans in the Western Pacific and South-East Asia Regions (No.2)

Member states of the World Health Organisation (WHO) have been called upon to formulate National Action Plans (NAPs) to counter the threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). This paper looks at the NAPs that have so far been drawn up by countries from the Western Pacific and South-East Asia regions, examining them against a global template provided by WHO.

The paper finds that, while some gaps and shortcomings exist, the countries concerned demonstrate political commitment, national ownership and institutional capacity to varying degrees to tackle the AMR problem. The author also identifies areas which need to be addressed to ensure effective development and implementation of the NAPs.

Beverley Snell is an Associate Principal Fellow of the Macfarlane Burnet Institute for Medical Research and Public Health in Melbourne, Australia. She is also the coordinator of Health Action International Asia-Pacific <www.haiasiapacific.org>.