“Key strategy of ICARS is to develop and test context-specific solutions for AMR mitigation"

Dr Renu Swarup, Former Secretary, Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science & Technology, India and Vice Chair, International Centre for Antimicrobial Resistance Solutions (ICARS), Denmark highlights the importance of ‘One Health’ approach to effectively tackle the threat of superbugs in the APAC region. Edited excerpts;

In your opinion, which APAC countries have shown significant progress in addressing AMR? What specific measures or interventions have contributed to their success? 

The Asia Pacific region, home to two-thirds of the world’s population and ten of the least developed countries, is considered a regional hot-spot for the emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). WHO analysis data indicates that over 90 per cent of the APAC countries have developed their AMR-national action plans (NAPs) and nearly 50 per cent of them have operationalised and implemented them. AMR requires a multisectoral approach focussing on governance, regulation and standards for AMR; a comprehensive, integrated national surveillance system; antimicrobial stewardship and measures to reduce antibiotic use; well structured systematic infection prevention and control programmes; research and development; and education, communication and stakeholder engagement. The emphasis has to be on how the Universal Health Coverage strategies should integrate AMR challenges. An analysis of implementation of NAPs indicates that the APAC countries have successfully achieved the implementation of key indicators of human and animal health. However, environmental factors, plant health, food safety require more efforts for integration into the NAP strategic plans.