On November 20, the World Health Organization (WHO) joined forces with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) to launch the new One Health Global Leaders Group on Antimicrobial Resistance.
Its members are heads of government, ministers, leaders from the civil and private sectors, and co-chaired by Barbados Prime Minister Mia Motley and Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wazed.
The group of high-level global leaders will advocate for urgent measures against antimicrobial resistance in all sectors and make sure that there is an available medicine for the future.
The group was introduced during the World Antimicrobial Awareness Week 2020 (from November 18-24). The interagency Coordination Group on Antimicrobial Resistance recommended the formation of the group, supported by the UN's Secretary-General.
Antimicrobial Resistance Compared to a Pandemic
The latest report from WHO shows that the world is running out of effective treatments against several infections. The UN health agency warned that antimicrobial resistance is as dangerous as a pandemic, which threatens to reverse a century of medical progress.
"Antimicrobial resistance is one of the greatest health challenges of our time, and we cannot leave it for our children to solve," WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said.
Due to the overuse of antibiotic drugs on humans and animals, antimicrobial resistance has grown in recent years. The health agency said that antimicrobial resistance threatens food security, economic development, and the ability of the planet to combat diseases.
Additionally, WHO said that it has led to hospital admissions, treatment failures, increased health care costs, severe illnesses, and worse, death.
Dr. Ghebreyesus believes that the time is now to solve this problem through partnerships that will protect medicines available today and revitalize the pipeline for making new ones.
FAO director-general QU Dongyu said that no one sector could solve this global problem, and that collective action is needed to address the threat of antimicrobial resistance.
The group formed under the Tripartite shall provide political leadership in addressing this critical global challenge. OIE director-general Dr. Monique Eloit said she is confident that the group will powerfully advocate the implementation of legislation and its key stakeholders to change the practices of antimicrobial use to protect the world's health and welfare.
Australia Committed $22.5 Million in the Fight Against Antimicrobial Resistance
WHO has appointed Australian Minister for Environment Sussan Ley to the One Health Global Leaders Group on Antimicrobial Resistance.
In response, Minister Ley said that she would strongly advocate for awareness and global action for the protection of human and animal health and the natural environment.
Australia has taken forward a strategy combining health, agriculture, and the environment in support of the group which reflects their commitment to addressing this global health crisis.
The country has committed $22.5 million in their budget this year to address the problems identified in Australia's National Antimicrobial Resistance Strategy - 2020 & Beyond, said Minister for Health Greg Hunt who welcomed the appointment of Minister Ley to the group.
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