Nepal is a signatory to Jaipur Ministerial Declaration on AMR 2011 when South-East Asia region of the WHO became the first WHO region to adapt it.
Dr Upadhyaya shared that Nepal's National Action Plan on AMR (2024-2028) is currently awaiting the endorsement from the cabinet. It has already been endorsed by the National Technical Working Group on AMR, Finance Ministry of Nepal, National Planning Commission of Nepal, and Social Committee of the Nepal's cabinet.
The National Action Plan on AMR (2024-2028) of Nepal has five strategic priorities, each with its time-bound activities, managed by a government agency (focal point) with supporting partners.
1. Improve awareness and understanding of AMR through effective communication, education and training
2. Strengthen the knowledge and evidence through surveillance and research
3. Reduce the incidence of infection through effective infection prevention and control
4. Optimise the use of antimicrobial agents in human, animal and food, and
5. Promote investments for AMR activities, research and innovations.
Ministry of Health and Population of Nepal is the national focal point for AMR. Nepal's Department of Drug Administration is the national focal point for antimicrobial consumption. Nepal's Veterinary Standards and Regulatory Laboratory is the national focal point for antimicrobial use in animal health sector. Nepal's National Public Health Laboratory is the national focal point for AMR surveillance in human health. Nepal's Central Veterinary Laboratory serves as the focal point for AMR Surveillance in animal health. Nepal's Department of Food Technology and Quality Control serves as a focal point for AMR surveillance in food sector, and Department of Environment is the focal point for AMR in environment, said Dr Madan Kumar Upadhyaya.
"Implementation and monitoring of National Action Plan on AMR is challenging with limited technical capacity and budgetary resources. Limited access to diagnostic microbiology facilities (at subnational level) and access to antimicrobials is another challenge," said Dr Upadhyaya.
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