Close-out workshop of V-RESIST study – confronting drug resistant bacteria in Vietnam
On November 1, 2022 in Hanoi, the Woolcock Institute of Medical Research Vietnam organised the close-out workshop for V-RESIST "Combating the emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistant infectious diseases in Vietnam".
The workshop was attended by the Deputy Ambassador of Australia to Vietnam, Mr Mark Tattersall, Dr Angela Pratt (Chief Representative of WHO in Vietnam), Professor Robyn Ward (Executive Dean and Pro Vice-Chancellor Medicine and Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health at the University of Sydney), Dr Cao Hung Thai (Vice Director of the Department of Medical Service Administration), along with representatives of the Vietnam Ministry of Health, the National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, experts of Bach Mai Hospital, Hanoi Medical University, Hanoi University of Pharmacy, Can Tho University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cho Ray Hospital, National Children's Hospital, researchers from the University of Sydney in Australia, donors, representatives of district-level hospitals, and V-RESIST project members.
From 2019 to 2022, the Woolcock Institute of Medical Research has collaborated with partners to investigate the challenges of antimicrobial resistance. In collaboration with the National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, the V-RESIST project was implemented to build intervention models to change the behaviour of the community, private pharmacies and district hospitals for the purpose of reducing antibiotic resistance in Vietnam. The research results have been published in journals including the Lancet Regional Health Western Pacific, and BMJ Global Health. More publications are listed here.
Since the start of the project, 154 training programs have been held, and seminars have attracted 1,340 doctors and pharmacists to share expertise and experience at district health facilities. The V-RESIST study has helped set up antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) Committees and AMS teams with their detailed strategies and plans following Decision 563 of the Ministry of Health. The project also provided clinical experts to deliver training and detailed audit-feedback for healthcare workers at district health facilities to increase the effectiveness of treatment of infectious diseases and reduce overall antibiotic resistance at these hospitals.
In the community, nearly 100 drugstores and pharmacies at the district level in Ca Mau province received training programs on how to distinguish between viral and bacterial diseases. This enables them to sell appropriate medicines for clients, while reducing selling antibiotics if not needed. In addition, communication materials for patients on antibiotics and antimicrobial resistance were distributed to people in community pharmacies to increase awareness and reduce the use of over-the-counter antibiotics.
Speaking at the Conference, Professor Greg Fox, Research Leader at the Woolcock Institute of Medical Research, said “Antimicrobial resistance is a major priority for Vietnam. The initial successes of V-RESIST demonstrate the potential expansion of these interventions in Vietnam. We look forward to working with the Ministry of Health and other Vietnamese partners to strengthen and expand these programs. They have enormous potential to reduce antibiotic resistance in Vietnam, contributing to enhancing health security for Vietnam and beyond.”
This project is funded by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
The final results of the V-RESIST program of research will be available in 2023.