AFRICAN HEALTH MINISTERS LAMENT 1.27 MILLION ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE DEATH, ENDORSED REGIONAL ACTION PLAN

By Vincess Okushi

As part of a global strategy to eliminate antimicrobial resistance estimated to have directly contributed to 1.27 million deaths in 2019, the African health ministers have endorsed a regional action plan to ramp up the high burden in sub-Saharan Africa.

World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Director for Africa Dr Matshidiso Moeti disclosed this during the Seventy-third session of the WHO Regional Committee for Africa in Gaborone, Botswana,  today 29th August 2023.

She said Globally, around 10 million people including 4.1 million in the African region are projected to die of antimicrobial resistance by 2050.

Adding that the endorsement of antimicrobial resistance by all state actors will address the poor implementation of national action plans in the African region.

Dr. Moeti noted that over the years antimicrobial resistance has lacked political commitment, stressing that inadequate antimicrobial surveillance, including insufficient laboratory capacity, limited capacity to ensure optimized antimicrobials, as well as awareness and understanding of the threat posed by antimicrobial resistance, and Poor infection prevention and control measures, including inadequate water, sanitation, and hygiene services, are the major contributors of high antimicrobial burden in the region.

The growing threat of antimicrobial resistance requires scaled-up and sustained action by all – from governments to individuals and across all sectors.

The commitment made today comes at a crucial time. WHO will continue supporting countries to reinforce measures for an effective response against antimicrobial resistance.

Antimicrobial resistance occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites change over time and no longer respond to medicines, making infections harder to treat.

However, this resolution adopted aims to strengthen governance coordination against antimicrobial resistance, improve awareness and understanding, step up surveillance on antimicrobial use, and reinforce applicable national regulations and laws.

It is expected that by 2030, all countries will have a functioning “One Health” approach – encompassing human, animal, and environmental health – on priority antimicrobial resistance actions.

Dr. Moeti, further urged countries to also have a monitoring and evaluation system, thereby conducting national awareness programs, and ensuring that they enroll in the global portal for a standardized approach to data collection, analysis, interpretation, and sharing, while implementing measures to optimize the responsible use of antimicrobials in healthcare facilities by 2030.

 

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