Bukola Afeni
The WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr Matshidiso Moeti has emphasized the need to take urgent action to address the main causes of Antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
The health body said raising awareness of the risks posed by the inappropriate use of antimicrobial medicines in humans, animals, and crops, is very essential.
Moeti disclosed that the theme for this year World AMR Awareness Week “Preventing Antimicrobial Resistance Together,” calls for urgent multisectoral action in the context of the One Health approach to preserve the efficacy of antimicrobial medicines.
The Regional Director noted that antimicrobial resistance (AMR) occurs when disease-causing germs stop responding to frequently prescribed antimicrobial medicines.
“It jeopardizes our ability to treat common infections, increases the cost of treatment, and disrupts the progress we have made in combating diseases, posing a grave challenge to our communities, health systems, and economies”, she added.
According to the regional director, Antimicrobial-resistant infections caused 1.27 million deaths globally in 2019, more than HIV/AIDS and malaria combined. Sub-Saharan African countries bear the highest burden of AMR-associated death rates at 99 deaths per 100 000 people.
To address the global threat Dr. Moeti said, “Through a strong collaboration with quadripartite partners (FAO, WOAH and UNEP), we have strengthened governance to combat AMR in the WHO African Region.
“Currently, 46 countries have developed and costed national action plans detailing an agreed course of action. Twelve countries have strengthened their capacity for a multisectoral approach to implement One Health National Action plans for greater impact.
“The capacity to generate evidence and demonstrate the burden, guide resource mobilization, and summon political commitment is topical.
“Currently, 38 of our Member States have enrolled in the global antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and use surveillance systems; the evidence generated has informed decision-making and amendment of policies in 17 countries.
“In Ghana, the integrated surveillance under the One Health approach has highlighted the interrelatedness with resistant bacteria spreading from the environment to the food chain and causing human infections, and vice-versa.
“Efforts are ongoing to optimize antimicrobial use in our healthcare facilities through integrated antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) programs.
“A standard Regional AMS Training Package developed and piloted in DRC, Ghana, Nigeria, and Zambia has been used to train multidisciplinary teams of over 70 health personnel from these four countries, implementing practical, cost-effective, and sustainable antimicrobial stewardship programs in healthcare facilities.
“We continue to mobilize the youth to join our efforts. We have trained over 899 youth ambassadors in Nigeria who are now equipped to serve as advocates against the threat posed by AMR in their communities.
The Regional Director also reiterated the “call to action” addressed to the Member States to increase and sustain domestic funding to implement AMR National Action Plans focused on infection prevention and control, clean water, sanitation, and hygiene in our communities, as well as establishing multisectoral coordination mechanisms to counter the risks.
“Support the building of resilient health systems, strengthen surveillance and laboratory capacity for prevention, ensure nationwide targeted AMR awareness campaigns and strengthen collaboration among stakeholders, which is key to success in combating AMR.
” African countries must unite to implement tailored national action plans, share best practices, and coordinate efforts to strengthen antimicrobial stewardship. We must collaborate with international partners, civil society organizations, and the private sector to leverage resources, knowledge, and expertise,” she said.
Every year, the international community observes World AMR Awareness Week from 18 to 24 November to raise awareness of the risks posed by the inappropriate use of antimicrobial medicines in humans, animals, and crops and encourage their responsible use to reduce the emergence and spread of AMR.
