The World Federation of Public Health Associations (WFPHA) is calling on all governments, industry, NGOs, health professionals, public and private research organizations to ensure that public health remains at the centre of all policy and scientific endeavours to tackle the threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The Federation proposes the establishment of antibiotic efficacy as a global public good.
AMR is one of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) top priorities. Antimicrobial drugs have played a key role in both prevention and curing infections. However, overuse and misuse of antimicrobials in humans, animals, and agriculture; gaps in infection prevention and control; lack of quality medicines; and inadequate investments in new drug development may be placing the breakthroughs in treatment of infectious diseases over the past 50 years in peril.
During this year’s World Health Assembly, WFPHA’s call for action at a one-day workshop aims to direct all actors to use an upstream approach as outlined in the Global Charter for the Public’s Health. Effective health services are essential to facilitate ongoing prevention, protection, and health promotion strategies to mitigate the adverse effects of AMR. Essential enablers for resilient and secure health systems include the maintenance of good governance, accurate information, capacity building, and effective advocacy.
The workshop will facilitate a transparent discourse on the current public health policies and activities on AMR in a global context by addressing the reality of healthcare systems and public health practice.
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