World Antimicrobial Awareness Week focuses on awareness

AMMAN — Jordan, along with the rest of the world, is commemorating the World Antimicrobial Awareness Week (WAAW) from November 18 until 24 under this year’s theme, “Preventing antimicrobial resistance together”.

WAAW is an annual global campaign to raise awareness and understanding of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and to promote best practices among One Health stakeholders to reduce the emergence and spread of drug-resistant pathogens, according to a statement from organisers.

High rates of antimicrobial resistance have been reported in countries at all income levels. The result is that common diseases are becoming increasingly untreatable, and lifesaving medical procedures riskier to perform, the statement said.

As the drivers of antimicrobial resistance lie in humans, animals, plants, food and the environment, a sustained One Health response is essential to engage and unite all stakeholders around a shared vision and goals. 

WHO Country Office in Jordan, in collaboration with the Offices of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), are assisting Jordan in the implementation of your plans through the “One Health AMR” approach.

Under the patronage of HRH Princess Alia Bint Al Hussein, the Ministries of Health and Agriculture, in collaboration with WHO and FAO, on Sunday held a high-level meeting with key stakeholders to renew joint support for AMR and ways to raise public awareness of the phenomenon.

During the event, Agriculture Minister Khalid Hneifat said: “I am pleased to enhance the cooperation between the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Health, as today a memorandum of understanding will be signed between the Ministries of Health and Agriculture to join hands in confronting zoonotic diseases.” 

Hneifat said the main role of the Ministry of Agriculture in combating the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance, as it works to encourage the wise use and management of antimicrobial products in animals, monitor veterinary medicines in terms of their manufacture and import, monitor the type and use of antimicrobial products in animals, and also works to raise awareness among farmers. 

Health Minister Feras Al Hawari said that Jordan has taken several steps to address the global challenge of AMR. Jordan joined the Global Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance System (GLASS) in 2018 and established its national AMR surveillance system.  

The minister added that despite the achievements that have been made, there are still lots of required efforts to confront this threat in Jordan. 

FAO Representative to Jordan Nabil Assaf said: “Antimicrobial resistance requires a One Health approach and combines efforts of human and animal health sectors to achieve a paradigm shift in antimicrobial use is a major priority for FAO and that is why we are here together today.”

“Antimicrobial Resistance is a global threat and the consequences of antimicrobial resistance include the failure to successfully treat infections, leading to increased mortality, more severe or prolonged illness, production losses, reduced livelihoods and food insecurity. It is the role of everyone to Spread Awareness, Stop Resistance,” he added.

WHO Representative to Jordan Jamela Al Raiby said: “The challenge of addressing the threat of antimicrobial resistance is real, is urgent, and it affects us all. That is why this year’s theme calls for cross-sectoral collaboration to preserve the efficacy of these important products”.

During the meeting, Ministry of Health and Ministry of Agriculture signed a protocol to collaborate on One Health and fighting Zoonotic diseases and antimicrobial resistance.