Distinguished experts,
Representative of the Norwegian Public Health Institute,
Representative of the African Federation of Public Health Associations,
Representative of the African Society of Laboratory Medicine,
Representative of the Ecumenical Pharmaceutical Network,
WHO colleague,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Good morning.
On behalf of the World Health Organization, Regional Director for Africa, Dr Matshidiso Rebecca Moeti, it is my honor and privilege to welcome you to this important experts’ consultation on antimicrobial resistance.
The Africa region shares the worldwide trend of increasing antimicrobial resistance. The 2014 WHO global report on antimicrobial resistance reaffirms the occurrence of significant resistance for diseases such as cholera, dysentery, typhoid, meningitis, gonorrhoea, tuberculosis, malaria and AIDS. Antimicrobial resistance leads to enormous loss of life and economic consequences. The experts’ consultation on antimicrobial resistance is of utmost importance and is taking place at a moment when there is a global consensus to commit and initiate actions for combating antimicrobial resistance.
Multiple factors contribute to the growing problem of antimicrobial resistance in the region. Laboratory capacities for antibiotic susceptibility testing are weak. Surveillance of antimicrobial resistance is limited to only a few countries. Policy makers, health professionals and population are not adequately informed about antimicrobial resistance, policies and plans are not coordinated and integrated, and implementation of plans, where they exist, is inadequate. The inappropriate prescribing, dispensing, and indiscriminate use of antibiotics for human, veterinary, and agriculture are major challenges. In addition, weak medicines regulatory capacity and the circulation of substandard/spurious/falsely-labelled/falsified/counterfeit antimicrobials in the supply chain contribute to treatment failures, emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance.
Ladies and gentlemen
Concerned with the inappropriate use of medicines and growing problem of antimicrobial resistance, the World Health Assembly adopted important resolutions which underscore the need for expanding and strengthening the provision of technical support to member states to accelerate the implementation of comprehensive interventions to promote the responsible use of medicines. In 2014, the sixty-seventh World Health Assembly expressed the growing concern about antimicrobial resistance and urged governments to strengthen national action and international collaboration. WHO has developed a draft global action plan to combat antimicrobial resistance in response to WHA67.25, This will be tabled for consideration by the WHA in 2015.
Resolution WHA67.25 on antimicrobial resistance recommends a “one-health” approach and strengthening of the tripartite collaboration between the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) and the World Health Organization. Notably, the draft global action plan calls for member states to have their action plans within 2 years, taking into consideration national circumstances and priorities.
The fight against antimicrobial resistance requires concerted effort, multifaceted interventions and multidisciplinary approaches. This consultation has brought together experts to share their experiences and explore feasible solutions to the growing problem of antimicrobial resistance in the African region.
Ladies and gentlemen
I call upon member states to develop, adapt and implement national policies, strategies and plans and to provide resources needed to implement effective interventions. It is crucial to increase the awareness of policy makers, health professionals, and the general public about the negative implications of antimicrobial resistance. I call upon the public health community, professional associations, other development partners and all stakeholders to support member states in their endeavour to combat antimicrobial resistance.
WHO will strengthen existing regional frameworks such as the integrated disease surveillance and response and facilitate the establishment of multidisciplinary working groups to combat antimicrobial resistance. During the next three days, I am confident that you will deliberate adequately on all these issues and challenges and come up with practical recommendations to combat antimicrobial resistance in the region. With these words, I now declare the experts consultation on antimicrobial resistance, officially opened.
I wish you fruitful deliberations and a very successful consultation.
Thank you for your attention.