Antimicrobial resistance: Multi-stakeholder platform launched to drive collective action, collaboration

Antimicrobial resistance: Multi-stakeholder platform launched to drive collective action, collaboration

Subject :Science and Technology

Context-

An Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Multi-stakeholder Partnership Platform (MSPP) was established November 18, 2022 to mark the beginning of the World Antimicrobial Awareness Week (WAAW). 

About the Platform-

• Launched by- the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, the UN Environment Programme, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Organisation for Animal Health jointly through a webinar.
• The multi-stakeholder partnership platform is a part of the AMR Global Governance Structures.
• The others in this network are the Global Leaders Group and the Independent Panel on Evidence for Action Against AMR. 
• It was recommended by the Interagency Coordination Group (IACG) on AMR in its 2019 report to the UN Secretary General.

The platform is expected to:

• Drive multidisciplinary action at global, regional and national levels through action groups and forming action plans
• Building global momentum and high-level advocacy to combat AMR
• Generating global commitment to use antimicrobials in a responsible and prudent way to ensure antimicrobials will keep their efficacy

Severity of AMR-

• The ‘silent pandemic’ was behind almost five million deaths in 2019, including 1·27 million deaths attributable to bacterial AMR. 
• AMR occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites change over time and no longer respond to medicines.
• This makes infections harder to treat and increases the risk of disease spread, severe illness and death.
• AMR leads to deaths, morbidity, high treatment cost, increased hospital stays and also losses in animal productivity.
• It also threatens food security.
• Misuse and overuse of antibiotics in the food animal production, wastes from factories, households, hospitals and farms are some of the key drivers of AMR.