Antimicrobial drug resistance (AMR)
- AMR is an increasing concern for Lao public health. We have documented a significant rise in extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) producing, multi-drug resistant Enterobacteriaceae infections and highlighted these findings with Lao Ministry of Health (MoH) and WHO as major concerns
- We conduct regular Point Prevalence Surveys of Antibiotic Use across five Lao hospitals – the first data from the country and mainland SE Asia on antibiotic use
- To assist with providing an evidence base for appropriate AMR action/intervention, we have joined with the MoH and key stakeholders, including the Global Antibiotic Resistance Partnership and OUCRU, to form an AMR Technical Working Group. We have nearly completed a review of all the accessible AMR evidence from Laos to guide national action and implementation plans.
- LOMWRU’s infectious disease research work has led us being asked to assist in the drafting of the first comprehensive Lao national antimicrobial treatment guidelines with diverse stakeholders.
- English and Lao language dashboard systems have been developed so that the data on the aetiology of bacterial infections and their susceptibility profile can be made easily available to policy makers and health workers.
- A review of the implications of changing to the European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST) from the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) antibiotic susceptibility testing guidelines for Laos has suggested to MoH to set EUCAST as the national standard