Every citizen needs to be aware of not using antibiotics indiscriminately.

At the Conference on the implementation of the National Strategy on Antimicrobial Resistance Prevention and Response to the “World Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness Week”, Prof. Dr. Tran Van Thuan, Deputy Minister of Health warned: “Antimicrobial resistance is still a concern in Vietnam, despite the scientific advances made in the past 10 years. Recent antibiogram data show that the trend of antibiotic resistance is increasing. Meanwhile, we still face many challenges such as: Limited capacity of laboratories in conducting surveillance and data analysis, inappropriate antibiotic prescription and lack of enforcement of regulations on antibiotic sales. The comprehensive national antimicrobial resistance strategy launched and implemented by the Ministry of Health also demonstrates the Government's commitment to addressing this issue”.

Deputy Minister of Health Tran Van Thuan also called on all people and communities to join hands in implementing and supporting the initiatives of the Comprehensive National Antibiotic Resistance Strategy to protect people's health as well as the health of future generations.

According to WHO, Vietnam is among the countries with high rates of drug resistance due to the abuse and inappropriate use of antimicrobials, especially antibiotics; pharmacies selling antibiotics without prescriptions and doctors prescribing antibiotics inappropriately.

“Achieving progress, especially on the rational use of antibiotics, will require a united effort from policy makers, health care providers, the private sector, farmers and most importantly, every citizen in Viet Nam. In this important effort, the World Health Organization and other partners stand ready to support the Government and people of Viet Nam,” said Dr Angela Pratt, WHO Representative in Viet Nam.

Accordingly, drug resistance occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites change over time and gradually no longer respond to drugs, making treatment of infections increasingly difficult or impossible to treat.

The National Strategy on Antimicrobial Resistance represents the efforts of the Government of Vietnam, in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) and other international partners, to combat the rise of antimicrobial resistance.

The strategy outlines measures to strengthen surveillance, promote responsible use of antibiotics in health and agriculture, and raise public awareness of the consequences of misuse and overuse of antimicrobials in both humans and animals. The strategy is led by the Ministry of Health in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, the Ministry of Industry and Trade, and other relevant ministries.

According to the Ministry of Health, people should only use antibiotics and other antimicrobials prescribed by qualified and authorized personnel, always follow the advice of medical staff when using antibiotics; never share or use other people's leftover antibiotics; prevent infections by washing hands regularly, preparing food hygienically, avoiding close contact with sick people, practicing safe sex and being fully vaccinated.

In particular, Vietnam has a high rate of antibiotic use in the livestock industry. The overuse and inappropriate use of antibiotics in livestock and aquaculture has contributed to antibiotic resistance and increased the risk of infection for consumers.

“Vietnam has banned the use of growth-promoting antibiotics since 2018, issued a circular requiring prescriptions for all antibiotics used in animals since 2020, and will phase out the use of prophylactic antibiotics in the livestock industry by 2026. These are concrete efforts that can reduce the use of antibiotics in livestock and reduce the risk of antibiotic resistance in both animals and humans. Farmers can promote disease prevention measures to minimize the need for antibiotics, including good animal husbandry and welfare practices such as appropriate management models, housing, feed and water; effective biosecurity practices; and optimal and appropriate use of vaccines,” said Dr. Phung Duc Tien, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development.