Event highlights achievements in combating antimicrobial resistance in Jordan

AMMAN — The Ministry of Health and World Health Organisation (WHO) in Jordan on Wednesday held an event to celebrate the conclusion of the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) fund on “Strengthening Jordan surveillance systems through strengthening national laboratory capacities and the workforce for surveillance of antimicrobial resistance (AMR)”. 

This event was attended by AMR national stakeholders and partners to recognise the achievements of the joint efforts in combating AMR in Jordan, according to a statement made available to The Jordan Times.

AMR is considered a global health and development threat. It requires urgent multi-sectoral action to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). WHO has declared that AMR is one of the top 10 global public health threats facing humanity. Misuse and overuse of antimicrobials are the main drivers in the development of drug-resistant pathogens, the statement said.

Having in mind people, peace, prosperity, planet, and partnership, KOICA has made a substantial investment in developing and strengthening national response to antimicrobial resistance in Jordan, read the statement. 

In partnership with the World Health Organisation, KOICA has extended support to the development of the Global Antimicrobial Resistance and Use Surveillance System (GLASS) in four countries including Jordan, through establishing and strengthening the national AMR Reference Laboratory (NRL) capacities. 

Diligently and despite the impact of COVID-19 pandemic, the Ministry of Health and WHO together with KOICA continued to mobilise national efforts towards achieving the goals of the project.

Surveillance sites all over Jordan representing public, private and teaching hospitals, are currently reporting AMR data to GLASS).

Secretary General of Primary Health Care and Epidemics Raid Al Shboul said: “With WHO’s technical support and thanks to KOICA’s funding, national surveillance data is contributing to developing evidence-based policy for the National Antimicrobial Stewardship Programme.”

Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Jordan Lee Jae-wan said: “Healthcare has been a key sector in the Korean government’s partnership with Jordan, while Korea has paid contributions towards establishing seven healthcare centres, rehabilitating blood banks and disseminating electronic prosthetic hands to disadvantaged persons in Jordan since 2004.”

“In the celebration of the 60th anniversary of Korea-Jordan diplomatic relations this year, I am pleased to see that this project has successfully contributed to strengthening Jordan’s capacity against antimicrobial resistance,” he added.

KOICA Country Director Dongsung Seo said: “I’m glad that Jordan became the first country in this region which develops a National Infection Prevention and Control Program by virtue of this project supported by the ‘Global Disease Eradication Fund’ which is charged for every international flight ticket departing from Korea. And I believe that Jordan can transfer and disseminate valuable knowledge and skills they have obtained to this region and beyond.”

During the event, WHO Representative to Jordan Jamela Al Raiby said: “WHO will continue supporting the AMR national multi-sectoral stakeholders to implement and monitor the progress of antimicrobial resistance national action plan using one-health approach.”

“WHO is grateful for the generous support provided by KOICA and the leadership of the government of Jordan. We are proud of what has been achieved in the battle against AMR,” Raiby added.