MHMS FIJI
MHMS FIJI

Fiji’s National Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance 2022-2025

Launch of the National Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance 2022 – 2025 by Chief Medical Advisor Dr Jemesa Tudravu during World Antimicrobial Awareness Week – November 18th 2022.

Fiji has launched its second edition of the National Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance (NAP AMR), outlining our mitigation strategy for Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) from 2022 to 2025. This makes Fiji the first country in the region to move on to a second edition of this important strategic document.

This document was developed With the help of the World Health Organization (WHO) and key strategic partners; such as the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) the Enhancing the Management of Antimicrobial Resistance (EMAR) in Fiji team and the COMBAT-AMR project team from the Doherty Institute.

Five strategic areas in the NAP AMR look at these key focus areas:

  1. Improving awareness and understanding of antimicrobial resistance through effective communication, education and training,
  2. Strengthen nationally coordinated and integrated surveillance system,
  3. Reduce the incidence of antimicrobial resistance events in human, animal and environmental health through improved infection, prevention and control practices (and implementation of Wellness),
  4. Optimise the use of antimicrobial medicines in human and animal health,
  5. Establish and ensure governance, sustainable investment, innovation and actions to combat antimicrobial resistance using the One Health Approach.

The NAP AMR is implemented under the stewardship of the National Antimicrobial Resistance Committee (NARC) responsible for developing and executing the plan. NARC is Fiji’s One Health working committee that looks after such issues as AMR meditation through education, awareness, surveillance and fostering good governance practices.

AMR is the “silent pandemic” lurks just below the global media attention but is no less deadly than the COVID-19 pandemic we are still struggling with. It threatens our way of life and the health of every individual accessing modern medical care. Our dependence on these life-saving medications called antimicrobials has left us vulnerable to attack from resistant “superbugs”, which do not respond to commonly used antimicrobials and treatments. The NAP AMR puts the onus on us all to take responsibility for our actions and to use these medications wisely.

Fiji’s National Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance from 2022 to 2025 will pave the way towards a  better and healthier future for us all.

Fiji One Health National Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance 2022 – 2025