The World Health Organization (WHO) has introduced a new clinical diagnostic stewardship manual aimed at improving how infections are diagnosed and treated across health systems, as part of a broader global effort to combat antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The announcement was made by the WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific in Manila on 9 June 2026.
Antimicrobial resistance occurs when bacteria and other pathogens evolve to resist the medicines used to treat them, making common infections harder to cure and increasing the risk of severe illness and death. WHO has warned that AMR threatens modern medical care, including surgeries, cancer treatments, and maternal and child health services, by reducing the effectiveness of essential antibiotics.
The new manual, titled Strengthening Clinical Diagnostic Stewardship in the Western Pacific Region: A Practical Manual, provides healthcare workers with practical guidance on improving diagnostic decision-making. It focuses on ensuring the right test is ordered for the right patient at the right time, using appropriate sample collection methods, and correctly interpreting results to guide treatment.
WHO says stronger diagnostic stewardship can reduce unnecessary testing, improve patient care, and strengthen surveillance systems that track resistant infections. Better data collection and interpretation are seen as essential tools for detecting outbreaks early and guiding treatment policies more effectively.
Health officials emphasize that improving diagnostic practices can significantly reduce the misuse of antibiotics, which is one of the key drivers of antimicrobial resistance. The manual also includes clinical case studies and practical tools designed to support healthcare facilities, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.
The publication builds on existing WHO guidance on AMR surveillance and outbreak response and has been developed with support from international partners, including the European Union, Japan, and the United Kingdom. WHO says the initiative will help strengthen national health systems and preserve the effectiveness of antimicrobial medicines for future generations.
