Development of the Papua New Guinea Antimicrobial Guidelines

• Develop national human health antimicrobial prescribing guidelines for PNG;
• Provide guidance to prescribers on antimicrobial treatments and prophylaxis with regard to choice, route, dosing and frequency;
• Recommend antimicrobial treatment and prophylaxis based on local antimicrobial resistance use and information;
• Provide required guidance for updating the national Essential Medicines List.

01 July 2022 – 30 August 2023

Partnering with the Australian Therapeutics Guidelines, and in order to develop the Guidelines, the Burnet Institute has brought together a team of experts from both PNG and Australia, skilled in clinical infectious diseases, Antimicrobial Stewardship, AMR data surveillance, clinical microbiology, clinical pharmacy, One Health, paediatrics, critical care medicine, hospital acquired infections, TB and HIV.

Prioritising the production of a high quality, evidence based, transparent and implementable document, Burnet and partners consulted and are now working with representatives from the PNG National Department of Health, the AMR Secretariat, Port Moresby Hospital, Paradise Private Hospital, Provincial Hospitals, civil society organisations and other key organisations.

This broad stakeholder consultation and engagement will ensure the guidelines are locally relevant and has local ownership.

The development of national antimicrobial guidelines can have a significant impact on the community, as it can help to ensure the appropriate use of antibiotics, reduce the development of antibiotic resistance, and promote better public health outcomes.

Antimicrobial guidelines provide healthcare professionals with clear guidance on the appropriate use of antibiotics, including when to prescribe them, which antibiotics to use, and for how long. By promoting more judicious and targeted use of antibiotics, these guidelines can help to reduce the risk of antibiotic resistance, which is a growing public health concern.

In addition, the development of national antimicrobial guidelines can help to promote better public health outcomes by ensuring that patients receive appropriate treatment for their infections. By providing evidence-based recommendations on the most effective antibiotic treatments for different types of infections, these guidelines can help to improve patient outcomes, reduce the risk of treatment failure, and promote better overall health.

Overall, the development of national antimicrobial guidelines can have a significant impact on the community by promoting more appropriate use of antibiotics, reducing the risk of antibiotic resistance, and improving public health outcomes.