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On June 3, 2025, the CAPTURA Fleming Fund project, led by the International Vaccine Institute (IVI) in collaboration with Fondation Mérieux and FDD Lao PDR, hosted a national workshop aimed at strengthening and advancing antimicrobial use (AMU) monitoring at both national and hospital levels.
The workshop brought together representatives from government, hospitals, and technical partners, all working towards a common goal: stronger, more effective systems for collecting and using AMU data to guide better health decisions and reduce antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
One of the key outcomes of the workshop was the validation of a new “Sustainability and Operational Framework”, designed to guide AMU monitoring efforts over the next 6-, 12-, and 24-months’ period. This framework outlines actionable steps to help hospitals and national stakeholders build, institutionalize, and expand AMU monitoring systems that are feasible, scalable, and responsive to local realities.

Key Highlights from the Workshop
Here are some of the important topics discussed during the event:

1. Introduction of a Hospital Maturity Model: A hands-on tool was introduced to help hospitals assess current capacity in terms of AMU monitoring and define the next steps for improvement and progress.
2. National Workflow & WHO GLASS Alignment: Participants reviewed and refined the national AMU workflow, ensuring it aligns with the World Health Organization’s GLASS system. Focus was placed on clearly defining responsibilities, improving data flow, and setting achievable timelines.
3. Peer Learning Across Hospitals: Hospitals at different stages of AMU monitoring shared their learning and experiences on their best practices and challenges, fostering shared insights and collaboration.

The workshop signaled a significant shift in Lao PDR’s approach to antimicrobials, formally transitioning from “Antimicrobial Consumption (AMC)” to “Antimicrobial Use (AMU)” in line with the WHO’s updated guidelines. This shift supports a more nuanced, stewardship focused approach to monitoring, emphasizing data that informs clinical decision making and national health strategies.
This workshop marks a key step forward in Lao PDR’s journey towards strengthening antimicrobial stewardship and building more resilient health systems. With a continued and stronger partnerships, capacity building and local ownership, Lao PDR is well on its way to building a robust system for monitoring antimicrobial use and protecting the health of its people for years to come.

#AMU #AntimicrobialResistance #LaoPDR #WHOGLASS #HospitalStewardship #OneHealth #FlemingFund #IVI #CAPTURA #FondationMerieux #FDD #HealthSystemsStrengthening