Pak One Health Alliance

During Oct’19 – Mar’21, Pak One Health Alliance® accomplished a Mapping and Gap Analysis study of AMR under the technical and financial assistance of Fleming Fund – UK and Ending Pandemics – USA. At the country’s level PSPU of the Department of Health – Punjab and the University of Health Sciences – Lahore were the key stakeholders. Background: Antibiotics have been a founding stone of modern medicine. The use of antimicrobials has enabled the implementation of novel treatment modalities ranging from cardiac bypass surgeries to joint replacements and bone marrow transplants.

Management of infectious complications would not have been possible without antibiotics. Antimicrobials have also been instrumental in the control of infections in farm animals and crops, allowing an increase in agricultural output and providing food security. AMR Causes: When human & animal health professionals overprescribe antibiotics and people don’t take antibiotics as directed. Due to poor hygiene and a lack of infection prevention and control e.g. not washing hands properly and due to people traveling around the world, spreading resistant bacteria.

Key Findings:

  • Pakistan has established Intra-Sectoral Core Committee on AMR (ICC) in 2015, the National Strategic Framework for Containment of AMR in 2016, the National Action Plan for Containment of AMR in 2017, and the Technical Core Group on AMR in 2017.
  • AMR sentinel sites were developed for surveillance in Punjab and Sindh through GLASS Protocols.
  • Drug Susceptibility Testing (DST) available in the Public and Animal Health sector. AMR Reference Laboratories developed for the Public and Animal Health sector.
  • One Health forum/network was developed at National and Provisional levels.
  • DRAP published guidelines & regulations for quality management. Mapping of Health
  • Highlighting the key areas in National multi-sectoral
    health policies and strategic, operational plans (national-subnational and local).
  • Knowing health sectorial operational plans (national – provincial and local) strategic plan.
  • Assessing preparedness and security response, Policy Development, and formulation.
  • Regulatory oversight; Service delivery; and Information and knowledge management.
  • Assessing Regulatory measures to support COVID-19 response and preparedness.