'Antimicrobial resistance must be tackled before it worsens'

The Report Desk

Published: September 22, 2022, 10:02 PM

'Antimicrobial resistance must be tackled before it worsens'

The world needs sustainable political will and action to combat Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) which can kill millions globally, said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday.

"It (AMR) is a problem that can turn into a crisis. It can cost millions of lives worldwide. We need sustained political will and action to prevent it from happening," she told a meeting on teh AMR in New York on Thursday.

Citing that nearly 150 countries already have their national action plans on AMR, she said, "Meaningful support is needed to implement them in low and middle income countries."

The PM said the AMR should gain prominence in international development cooperation. The Multi-Partner Trust Fund, set up in 2019, can be the preferred instrument, she added.

"A robust investment case for AMR needs to be made at global and national levels," she said, adding that surveillance is the key to understanding the AMR burden and response to it.

She pointed out lack of research and innovation of new AMR vaccines and other treatments as a major cause for concern. The private sector needs proper incentives for the purpose, she said.

"There are risks for AMR to develop for some critical pathogens. The evidence and data gathered on this are quite eye-opening," she continued.

She said there is no alternative to creating mass awareness about AMR.

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