Harare, 3 October 2016 -  The call was made by WHO Representative Dr David Okello at a media breakfast meeting to share information about Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) and the work that WHO, FAO, the organization for animal health (OIE) and other partners are doing in Zimbabwe to decrease this real and urgent threat.

Dr Okello said health systems in some developing countries are weak, fragmented and are unable to cope with complex health crises; and therefore, identifying cases of AMR remains a challenge due to inadequate surveillance systems and archaic diagnostic infrastructure for infectious diseases. “Left unchecked, AMR is predicted to have significant social, health security, and economic repercussions that will seriously undermine the development of countries,”  said Dr Okello. He also said in the context of “One Health” approach and referring to the Global Action Plan that was developed together, WHO, FAO and OIE have been collaborating in strengthening capacities in countries to conduct surveillance of antimicrobial consumption and to develop National Action Plans (NAP) for the containment of AMR.

In his remarks, the FAO Sub regional Coordinator and Country Representative, Chimimba David Phiri said people need to be aware of the dangers posed by AMR, thus public education about correct antimicrobial use for humans and livestock is critical. He therefore, asked the media to communicate information that is accurate about this important problem of antimicrobial resistance. He also reiterated FAO’s commitment to continue to work closely with WHO and OIE through the Tripartite Agreement. “FAO is  committed to work with WHO, OIE as well as other partners, reference centers, academia and regional groups to support the country in developing its strategy to address AMR in agriculture, fisheries, food and livestock and to contribute to the National Action Plan for AMR,” Mr Phiri said.

AMR happens when the medicines that we use to treat common infections and diseases can no longer work. It develops much faster and spreads more rapidly when antimicrobial medicines, such as antibiotics, are used incorrectly or over-used. Medicines that were once effective treatments become less so -- or even useless. Common and life-threatening infections like pneumonia, gonorrhea, and post-operative infections, as well as HIV, tuberculosis and malaria are increasingly becoming untreatable because of AMR. This is a problem in the human health arena and for veterinary healthcare as well, and has broader implications for development, people’s livelihoods, and food security. The high levels of AMR already seen in the world today are the result of overuse and misuse of antibiotics and other antimicrobials in humans, animals (including farmed fish), and crops, as well as the spread of residues of these medicines in soil, crops and water.