Ensuring true engagement of all relevant stakeholders is essential for an antibiotic resistance policy to be successful and to ensure a sustained effort.
Leadership and oversight of a national action plan should be established early to carry the policy through the development and implementation process.
As antibiotic resistance is a complex issue, broad political buy-in is needed for a national action plan to be effective, politically anchored and financially secure. It should be determined which one or more ministries will spearhead a country’s work on antibiotic resistance. Ministries that could be included are health, agriculture, finance, education/research, trade and environment.
Form a multisectoral coordinating group
It is recommended to establish a multisectoral coordination group to lead the development and implementation of the plan. The role of the coordinating group should be established and their political mandate agreed upon. A national focal point should be identified in animal, human, plant and environmental health.
Conduct a stakeholder analysis
A stakeholder analysis is conducted in order to identify and assess the importance of different stakeholders. In a field as complex and multisectoral as antibiotic resistance, a clear picture of the policy landscape and its actors as well as other key players can serve as a foundation for the rest of the policy process. A thorough stakeholder analysis allows identification of key players; prediction of whether they might support or block the implementation of reforms; and aid in strategy development to promote supportive actions and decrease opposing actions before major reforms are decided upon and implemented.
Form a national stakeholder platform
A larger multi-stakeholder platform or coalition can be formed for wider engagement and consultation throughout the development and implementation of the national action plan. In addition to human health, all relevant sectors such as animal health, plant production, and environmental health should be included so they feel ownership in the plan. This group can bring together policy makers, regulatory authorities, academicians, health care professionals, veterinarians, microbiologists, pharmacists, industry, civil society, professional societies, funding organizations, and media amongst others. The platform can be brought together as needed to inform progress and to solicit input.
Identify and engage champions
Engaging influential individuals, that are on the forefront regarding a specific issue, to promote change is an innovative and evidence-based advocacy strategy. These champions, or opinion leaders, can act as gatekeepers, help change social norms, and accelerate behavior change. In many cases, a public health champion is an influential political leader, health care provider, or other authority figure who uses his or her expertise and professional contacts to facilitate the application of evidence into national policy. A champion can work as a broker between stakeholders and therefore, it is important that champion(s) have a good and influential relationship with the different government departments, and civil society.
Read more about engaging stakeholders under inspirational example WHO regional support to Central Asian countries.
Selected Resources
| Resource | Description |
| Tackling Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) together. Working Paper 1.0: Multisectoral coordination | Tools, tactics, lessons. Document on multisectoral coordination issued by WHO to support policymakers involved in developing National Action Plans on antimicrobial resistance. Includes tools and lessons gathered from countries including Ethiopia, Kenya, Philippines and Thailand. |
| Sample terms of reference for a national multisectoral coordinating group, for a national focal point and for a technical working group (DOCX) | Template. This is a supporting document developed by WHO, FAO and WOAH to accompany the manual for developing national action plans. Additional materials for developing the national plan can be found under Supporting countries with national action plan implementation, including the TOR in several languages. |
| Stakeholder Analysis Guidelines (PDF) | Guide from WHO that provides a framework for conducting a stakeholder analysis covering the steps from initial planning to the identification of stakeholders and the development and use of relevant tools. |
| Integration of equity into national action plans on antimicrobial resistance: guidance to complement the people-centred approach | Guidance from WHO how to integrate equity considerations into National Action Plans across key areas including WASH, access to health services and antibiotics, and AMR surveillance and response. The publication also highlights how inequities affect the emergence, spread, and impact of AMR. |
| Multidisciplinary and multisectoral coalitions as catalysts for action against antimicrobial resistance: Implementation experiences at national and regional levels | Journal article describing how building coalitions can amplify stakeholder efforts to carry out antibiotic resistance prevention and control strategies. Presents an approach to help local stakeholders kick-start a coalition-building process with examples from Ethiopia, Namibia, and Zambia. |
| Combating the emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance: A workshop to strengthen faith-based engagement | Report from a workshop to strengthen engagement by faith-based organizations in efforts to address antibiotic resistance. Includes a “Call to Action” developed by meeting participants, and lessons shared by participants. |