PM seeks sufficient financing to fight antimicrobial resistance

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has asked for sufficient and sustainable financing to counter antimicrobial resistance.

Funds should be raised for Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) specific and AMR-sensitive actions with special attention to low and middle-income countries, said the premier while addressing a meeting of the "One Health Global Leaders Group on Antimicrobial Resistance-GLG-AMR" as a co-chair of the group with the Prime Minister of Barbados.

According to WHO, Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites change over time and no longer respond to medicines, making infections harder to treat and increasing the risk of disease spread, severe illness, and death.

"The Covid-19 pandemic is defining the public health crisis of our time that has already taken more than three million lives. However, the impending pandemic, in the form of antimicrobial resistance will cause even more harm to global health. It will not only endanger human, animal and plant health, but also threaten food security and progress towards the attainment of SDGs," the premier said.

She also highlighted the measures Bangladesh has taken to ensure effective antimicrobial usage at the domestic level.

Saying that antimicrobial resistance can affect anyone, regardless of geographical location and socio-economic condition, she emphasised strict adherence to Infection Prevention and Control-IPC measures for AMR containment.

That is possible through the implementation of Global Action Plan-2015 on AMR, and the 2016 UN political declaration on AMR, she added.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina suggested some recommendations to combat AMR. She suggested setting up global, regional, and national targets and inclusive monitoring, as well as a reporting system to achieve SDG goals.

To ensure appropriate use of antimicrobials, she recommended developing guidelines and policies at different tiers.

She said sharing of scientific knowledge and technical assistance to ensure effective and inclusive AMR surveillance and capacity building could be a great help. 
She also asked for ensuring equitable access to affordable and effective antibiotics and other medical facilities through technology transfer and sharing of ownership. 

Public-private partnerships for investment in AMR containment, and inclusive, affordable, and sustainable universal health care coverage need to be ensured to fight the impending pandemic, she concluded.