Minister for unified action to tackle antimicrobial resistance issue

ISLAMABAD: The Caretaker Federal Minister for National Health Services, Dr Nadeem Jan, has underscored the pressing need to address the critical issue of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in Pakistan by evolving consensus among stakeholder and creating public awareness.

Addressing an event organized by the Fleming Fund Country Grant Pakistan, Dr Jan stressed the need to establish a national consensus on AMR, involving political leaders, healthcare professionals, and communities.

He proposed the formation of a high-level task force, serving as a central coordinating body for initiatives aimed at combating antimicrobial resistance. Dr Jan also highlighted the role of behavioral change in the responsible use of antibiotics and called for the development of a comprehensive communication strategy.

Furthermore, Dr. Jan called for a revision of the National Action Plan on AMR, stressing the need for input and commitment from all stakeholders in the process.

The Fleming Fund, a UK-funded initiative targeting AMR control in over 25 countries, including Pakistan, across Africa and Asia, supports the implementation of AMR strategies in low-income countries. Pakistan has made significant strides in addressing AMR since 2019 through a One Health approach.

Dr Qadeer Ahsan, Team Lead of the Fleming Fund, highlighted the fund's support for implementing Pakistan's National Action Plan on AMR and confirmed ongoing collaboration at the federal and provincial levels in the second phase of the grant. Dr Ahsan emphasized the importance of raising awareness about the adverse impacts of AMR on humans, animals, and the environment.

Dr Arif Azad underscored AMR as a real, local, and global threat that can be mitigated through collective efforts by political leadership, healthcare professionals, laboratory experts, policymakers, and the media. He emphasized the crucial role of educating the healthcare workforce in addressing AMR.

The event also featured representatives from various organizations, including the office of Animal Husbandry Commissioner, DG Health Services Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, DG Health Services Sindh, National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Veterinary Laboratory (NIH), National Reference Laboratory Poultry Diseases (NRLPD), and Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LTSM).