Norway

National AMR research program
National action plans
MB representatives

Norway is represented in JPIAMR by the Research Council of Norway. The Norwegian strategy on AMR is implemented jointly by the Ministry of Health and Care Services, Ministry of Food and Agriculture, Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries and the Ministry of Climate and Environment.

Norwegian health authorities have during the last 20 years implemented various programmes in order to counteract antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and to prevent health care associated infections (HAI). The Ministry of Health and Care Services has the overall responsibility for all health services in Norway, including Health Care Associated Infections.

Role of different actors in AMR and HAI

Role of the government

The Ministry of Health and Care Services has the overall responsibility for all health services in Norway including Anti-Microbial Resistance (AMR) and Health Care Associated Infections (HAI). The Directorate of Health shall ensure that approved policies are implemented in the health and care. The Norwegian Board of Health Supervision shall ensure that health and social services are provided in accordance with national acts and regulations. Most hospitals are owned by the government through Regional Health Authorities and Local Hospital Trusts.

Role of public health authorities

The Norwegian Institute of Public Health is responsible for surveillance and expert advice to the Ministry and the Directorate, but has no direct line of command to local hospital trusts.

Role of hospital management (national level)

Hospitals are managed according to directives from the Regional Health Authorities and the Norwegian Directorate of Health. Local hospital managers should comply with overall governmental policies for reducing AMR and HAI, but in practice it is difficult to benchmark their compliance. Budgetary discipline is presently a priority in many institutions.

Role of healthcare payer

Hospitals are financed through a regular budget and an activity-based reimbursement system. Both sources of financing are controlled by the government.

Support of surveillance programmes

Surveillance of AMR and HAI are financed and run by governmental institutions. The Norwegian Institute of Public Health has an overall responsibility for coordination of all surveillance of communicable diseases including AMR and HAI. All parts of the healthcare system are legally obliged to contribute to surveillance programmes. Some activities have separate financing whereas others are included in the basic activities of the institutions.

Role of hospital accreditation programmes

Hospitals in Norway do not generally participate in formal accreditation programmes, but the government will ensure compliance with quality standards through inspections by the Norwegian Board of Health Supervision.

National AMR research program and activities

AMR Research program

  • The Research council of Norway has a coordinated investment in One Health AMR research through the portfolios of Health, Land-based food, the environment and bioresources, Enabling technologies and Global development and international relations.
  • AMR research and innovation is also funded by regional research funding from the Central Norway Regional Health Authority (RHA), and voluntary foundations such as the Norwegian Cancer Society.

National AMR research calls

Activities on AMR actions at national level

  • New national strategy on AMR being developed by Ministry of Health and Care Services, Ministry of Food and Agriculture, Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Climate and Environment.
  • A government appointed expert panel has been mapping Norwegian knowledge gaps on AMR in preparation of the new strategy.
  • The HO2- monitor established by the Ministry of Health shows statistics on research and innovation activities within health and care in Norway, 254 NOK million was invested in infection in 2022.
  • The annual joint report from the surveillance programme for antimicrobial resistance in human pathogens (NORM) and the monitoring programme for antimicrobial resistance in bacteria from feed, food and animals (NORM-VET) presents data on the occurrence of antimicrobial resistance and the usage of antimicrobial agents in humans and animals for the year 2022.
  • A feasibility study for antibiotic production in Norway has been conducted by the Norwegian Directorate of Health.
  • A new Centre for Antimicrobial Resistance CAMRIA (Combatting Anti-Microbial Resistance with Interdisciplinary Approaches) opened May 30th, 2022. CAMRIA has received funding from the Trond Mohn Foundation (TMS), and is a collaboration between University of Bergen, Haukeland University Hospital and Stavanger University Hospital.

National action plans

  • National strategy against antibiotic resistance; 2015-2020
  • The National strategy and NAP will be extended to be valid throughout 2023 and in the new protocol there is dedication to a new national AMR strategy. One Health will continue to have a focus in the national strategy. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will be included in the national strategy.

Management Board representatives

  • Alexandra Bjørk-Skaflestad, The Research Council of Norway
  • Oliver Kacelnik, Ministry of Health and Care services