Although Estonia’s antibiotic use and resistance rates are low compared to other countries, a rising trend of AMR in Estonia and globally is noticeable. The World Health Organization and the European Commission recommend that member states create cross-sectoral action plans based on the “One Health” principle to manage AMR more coordinately and effectively than before. In response, a cross-sectoral AMR steering group was formed in Estonia in 2019.
Between July 2019 and November 2022, a study on the routes of antibiotic resistance spread and possible containment strategies was conducted with the aim to develop recommendations based on scientific evidence and the “One Health” principle. The findings of the study showed that treatment guidelines are sometimes missing or are not followed, and that many hospitals lack an infection control specialist. It also showed that broad-spectrum antibiotics were unjustifiably used in humans, and that antibiotics critical for human medicine are often used in animal treatment.
In November 2024, the AMR steering group confirmed the AMR management strategy 2025–2030. The main objectives of the strategy include increasing awareness, enhancing infection prevention and control, promoting the rational use of antimicrobial medicines, limiting the spread of resistant microbes, ensuring surveillance and monitoring, increasing investments in research, and fostering a unified management system and international cooperation. The AMR steering group coordinates and monitors the implementation of activities planned in the strategy across various sectors based on sectoral action plans. Activities are funded from sectoral budgets or, if necessary, from other sources.