Strengthening capacity for antimicrobial stewardship in Vietnam
Project Researcher: Dr Arjun Chandna, Academic Foundation doctor
As part of his Academic Foundation Programme, Arjun held a four-month research post at the Oxford University Clinical Research Unit in Hanoi, Vietnam. He helped design and implement a project at 16 Vietnamese hospitals aiming to strengthen national capacity for antimicrobial stewardship. Antibiotic resistance is a major public health threat and is particularly problematic in low-income countries where the disease burden is greatest and limited resources constrain access to newer, more expensive drugs.
Arjun was able to gain experience in protocol design, project implementation, data analysis and literature review – all vital skills for budding scientists and clinicians. In addition, he was able to see first-hand the importance of combining excellent science with local capacity building and how rewarding this can be when you get it right.
On returning to the UK, Arjun presented the group’s work at a symposium and successfully submitted a manuscript for publication. The project is ongoing and he is still in contact with the unit in Vietnam. He is hopeful that he will get the opportunity to go back for a more extended period in the future.
July 2013