National antimicrobial resistance strategy approved

The overall goal of the strategy is to minimize development and spread of antimicrobial resistance and ensure continued availability of effective antimicrobials.

Viet Nam is among the countries witnessing growing threat of antimicrobial resistance brought about by the irrational use of antibiotics, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

A report released by the WHO found that there were 296,681 deaths in Viet Nam due to antibiotic resistance from 2020 to 2023.

Viet Nam ranks second among countries in the Western Pacific region and 11th in the world on antibiotic consumption.

Statistics from the WHO in Viet Nam show that up to 50 per cent of antibiotics are used inappropriately in hospitals while 88-97 per cent of pharmacies sell antibiotics without a prescription from a doctor./.