Message from Dr Hanan Balkhy, Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean on the occasion of World AMR Awareness Week
————————————–…————
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is undermining our ability to treat infections. It is a major threat to human, animal and environmental health.
The overuse of antibiotics is a key driver of AMR and the Eastern Mediterranean Region has the highest rate of antibiotic consumption in the world.
We must act now. We need to improve responsible antibiotics use, in line with the WHO AWaRe antibiotic book. And we need to ensure equitable access to quality medicines and diagnostics across the Region – including in lower-income countries and areas affected by conflict.
To stop the development and spread of infections, we need to strengthen infection prevention and control (IPC). The best and most cost-effective interventions include vaccination and water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) measures in hospitals and communities.
In our Region, we face additional challenges from conflicts and other emergencies. Implementing IPC in overcrowded and damaged health facilities is difficult. WASH infrastructure is severely impacted. And ensuring continuous access to essential medicines is often challenging.
To advance antimicrobial stewardship, IPC and WASH, we need commitment and action from all stakeholders:
– Strong political leadership at all levels to integrate AMR into national plans, budgets and governance mechanisms.
– A well-equipped and trained health workforce – including empowered IPC and antimicrobial stewardship experts.
– An engaged, informed public practicing responsible antibiotic use and basic IPC measures at home and in schools and workplaces.
This year, Member States made strong commitments at the UN General Assembly, the WHO Regional Committee and the fourth Ministerial Conference on AMR to step up efforts to address this major health threat.
AMR knows no boundaries. If we do not act, it will kill up to 39 million people globally by 2050.
Every government, every partner, every sector, every stakeholder needs to take action.
As we mark World AMR Awareness Week, let us “educate, advocate and act now” to combat AMR.
————————————–…————
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is undermining our ability to treat infections. It is a major threat to human, animal and environmental health.
The overuse of antibiotics is a key driver of AMR and the Eastern Mediterranean Region has the highest rate of antibiotic consumption in the world.
We must act now. We need to improve responsible antibiotics use, in line with the WHO AWaRe antibiotic book. And we need to ensure equitable access to quality medicines and diagnostics across the Region – including in lower-income countries and areas affected by conflict.
To stop the development and spread of infections, we need to strengthen infection prevention and control (IPC). The best and most cost-effective interventions include vaccination and water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) measures in hospitals and communities.
In our Region, we face additional challenges from conflicts and other emergencies. Implementing IPC in overcrowded and damaged health facilities is difficult. WASH infrastructure is severely impacted. And ensuring continuous access to essential medicines is often challenging.
To advance antimicrobial stewardship, IPC and WASH, we need commitment and action from all stakeholders:
– Strong political leadership at all levels to integrate AMR into national plans, budgets and governance mechanisms.
– A well-equipped and trained health workforce – including empowered IPC and antimicrobial stewardship experts.
– An engaged, informed public practicing responsible antibiotic use and basic IPC measures at home and in schools and workplaces.
This year, Member States made strong commitments at the UN General Assembly, the WHO Regional Committee and the fourth Ministerial Conference on AMR to step up efforts to address this major health threat.
AMR knows no boundaries. If we do not act, it will kill up to 39 million people globally by 2050.
Every government, every partner, every sector, every stakeholder needs to take action.
As we mark World AMR Awareness Week, let us “educate, advocate and act now” to combat AMR.
