Delegates from 12 African countries convened in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia for a two-day regional summit on the responsible and appropriate use of antimicrobials.
AMR (Anti-Microbial Resistance) occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites stop responding to antimicrobial agents. As a result of drug resistance, antibiotics and other antimicrobial agents become ineffective, infections become difficult or impossible to treat, and the risk of disease spread, serious illness, and death increases. The World Health Organization (WHO) organized the summit to coincide with the recent African Union Summit to promote cooperation and resource mobilization for strengthening health systems and pandemic preparedness on the African continent.
In her welcoming speech, WHO-Ethiopia Country Office Acting Representative Dr. Nonhlanhla Dlamini said: The global and regional burden is alarming. Sub-Saharan African countries bear the heaviest burden of resistant infections, with the highest AMR-related mortality rate of her 99 per 100,000 population. ”
According to Dr. Dlamini, “AMR jeopardizes decades of progress in controlling infectious diseases such as malaria, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and sexually transmitted diseases.” The results of managed AMR are horrifying.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has further compounded the threat of AMR through widespread misuse and overuse of antibiotics. We have to,” the representative emphasized.
Misuse and overuse of antibiotics are major factors in the development of drug-resistant pathogens. The cost of AMR to the economy is high, with the greatest impact on low- and middle-income countries.
“AMR causes more deaths than HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis or malaria. Those affected suffer financial hardship: In 2019 alone, 4.95 million deaths were associated with AMR, and 1.27 million deaths were directly attributable,” said Dr Walter Fuller, WHO Africa Region. He said:
“Countries in the African region must act now to make informed, country-specific policy decisions. , and use evidence-based guidelines to guide prescribing to ensure access to high-quality, affordable antibiotics,” Dr. Walter added.
WHO Headquarters Thomas Joseph said that “all countries should develop a coherent course of action to promote the responsible and appropriate use of antimicrobials to reduce the burden of drug-resistant infections”. emphasized gender.
At the opening ceremony of the summit, Ethiopian Health Minister Dereje Duguma said: Through the National Action Plan on AMR Prevention and Control, the Government of Ethiopia is implementing coordinated activities at all levels, and the Ministry of Health, Agriculture and Environment of Ethiopia is working closely with WHO and other partners to develop antimicrobials. Proper use of agents. ”
“The Ethiopian government is also committed to working in close cooperation with all African countries to combat the challenges of AMR,” the state minister said, urging all partners to act swiftly to reverse the impact of AMR. I asked you to act.
Ethiopia conducted its first AMR baseline survey in 2009 and launched its first National Strategic Framework for AMR Prevention and Containment in 2011. Ethiopia is also one of the first countries to have a National Strategy Document on AMR and Antimicrobial Management (AMS) implementation. .
“More investment and active cooperation among the various pillars of the health system are essential to combat AMR,” said Dr Nonhlanhla, adding that the WHO has said it will support the Ethiopian government’s efforts to strengthen its AMR response. reiterated its commitment to
WHO considers effective implementation of antimicrobial management to be one of the important, sustainable and cost-effective strategies to control AMR. The AMR Multi-Partner Trust Fund facilitated collaboration and coordination between WHO and other development partners to strengthen AMS.
Financial support from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has enabled the expansion of antimicrobial management practices from a few health facilities across Ethiopia to nearly 100 health facilities.
Healthcare leaders and AMR focal points from Burkina Faso, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe actively participated in the summit to help solve challenges and Develop country-specific strategies to help improve governance, coordination and management of antimicrobial administration at the level.
Distributed by the APO group on behalf of the World Health Organization (WHO) – Ethiopia.
