This Infection control and Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Policy Programme details Hungary's commitment to combat antimicrobial resistance with concrete actions across sectors, timeline, and governance structures, adopting a One Health approach integrating human health, veterinary, and environmental perspectives. This Policy Programme underlines increasing resistance in humans and animals, supported by national epidemiological and microbiological data, and reflects on the dramatic consequences from a clinical, public health, economic and animal health perspective, taking into account not only the human use of antibiotics, but also the veterinary medicinal products containing antibiotic active ingredients sold for use in food-producing animals. The Policy Programme defines the following strategic objectives: increasing knowledge and understanding of AMR through effective communication, education and training methods; empowering evidence-based decision-making through surveillance data and research findings; reducing the incidence of infections with effective infection control measures; optimising the use of antimicrobials in human and animal health; developing regulatory frameworks ensuring access to existing and new antimicrobials, vaccines, diagnostics, and technologies. The Policy Programme concerns the following matters: analysis of the AMR situation in human health; monitoring systems and data sources regarding the aspects of AMR related to the food chain; animal health and 'One Health' aspects of antibiotic use and resistance; domestic animal health measures; overview of the AMR situation from animal health and 'One Health' perspective; recommended interventions according to the strategic objectives. Concerning the recommended interventions and the areas of intervention, this Programme provides the following: development of graduate and vocational training in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of infectious diseases; developing modalities and content for training and exchange of professional experience in the context of antimicrobial use and antimicrobial resistance; raising awareness of antimicrobial use and antimicrobial resistance; development of existing data collections and databases; increasing participation in national and international research programme; development and implementation of therapeutic guidelines; improving the availability and use of diagnostic tools and services; competence building, interprofessional cooperation and organisational development; ensuring the full availability of antimicrobials in the country; registration of antimicrobial drug use in the system operated by the National Food Safety Office; increasing access to clean water and sanitation and food safety, in order to reduce the need for and exposure to the use of antimicrobials.
Hungary · 2019-06-03