National workshop charts roadmap for integrating AMR interventions into Primary Health Care

Participants and WHO experts present at the national workshop on mainstreaming antimicrobial resistance interventions into primary health care systems held in Bagmati province, Nepal. Photo credit: WHO Nepal/Sujan Govinda Amatya

The workshop brought together more than 80 participants from across the health sector, including representatives from government agencies such as various divisions of the Ministry, including the Department of Health Services and Department of Drug Administration, as well as representatives from provincial and local governments, primary health-care centres and health facilities at different levels of care, academic institutions, civil society organizations, development partners, and WHO experts from the country, regional and headquarters levels.

Participants present at the programme. Photo credit: WHO Nepal/Sujan Govinda Amatya

Over the three days, participants reviewed the current status of AMR interventions and PHC service delivery in Nepal, identified the existing gaps and operational challenges and shared the ongoing initiatives led at national and local levels. Discussions focused on how AMR interventions could be effectively integrated into routine health services and how PHC can be strengthened as the first point of care for preventing and responding to AMR. 

The workshop was built on a series of preparatory steps jointly led by the MoHFS and WHO Country Office for Nepal. An initial desk review was conducted to assess the current status of AMR interventions and their integration into PHC in Nepal. This was followed by a stakeholder webinar held in May 2026, which further advanced dialogue on integrating AMR interventions into Nepal’s PHC-oriented health system.

Presentations and group discussions held at the programme. Photo credit: WHO Nepal/Sujan Govinda Amatya

Further, on 8 June 2026, three teams comprising MoHFS officials, local-level health representatives, and WHO representatives from all three levels conducted field visits to six health facilities across different tiers of care in Kathmandu Valley to document current practices, opportunities, bottlenecks and implementation gaps. Findings from those visits, together with the desk review, have informed a three‑day workshop.

Experts from WHO and Nepal's health ministry conducting site visits in Bagmati province, Nepal. Photo credit: WHO Nepal/Sujan Govinda Amatya

During the workshop (9-11 June), participants identified priority AMR-related interventions and developed recommendations structured around the three core components of the PHC framework: multisectoral action, integrated health services at the primary-care level, and community engagement.

Honourable Minister of Health and Food Safety Ms Neesha Mehta providing her opening remarks at the programme. Photo credit: WHO Nepal/Sujan Govinda Amatya

During the opening session, Honorable Minister of Health and Food Safety Ms Neesha Mehta emphasized the need to translate policy commitments into concrete actions. Acting WHO Representative to Nepal, Dr Allison Gocotano, highlighted the role of primary care as the first point of contact where antibiotics are commonly prescribed, underscoring its central importance in addressing AMR.

The workshop resulted in the identification of priority actions for integrating AMR interventions into primary health care, with discussions highlighting the importance of stakeholder engagement, coordination across levels of care and sustainable resource mobilization to support long-term integration efforts.

WHO Representative to Nepal, a.i., Dr Allison Gocotano, providing his opening remarks at the programme. Photo credit: WHO Nepal/Sujan Govinda Amatya

Building on the outcomes of the workshop and country mission, WHO will support the development of a comprehensive technical report summarizing findings from the desk review, field assessments and stakeholder consultation workshops.

WHO will continue to work closely with national counterparts to provide technical assistance and support implementation efforts to advance Nepal’s response to AMR through a resilient, people-centered primary health-care system.