Antibiotic Smart Sweden Supports the Global Call to Action on AMR!

Antibiotic Smart Sweden is a nationwide initiative aiming to create a society where everyone safeguards antibiotics. Led by the Swedish Public Health Agency and Research Institutes of Sweden (RISE), in collaboration with ReAct Europe and Strama, the project promotes antibiotic resistance as a broader public health issue. It sets up criteria in various sectors, demonstrating how different parts of society can be "antibiotic smart," including schools, wastewater treatment, pre-schools, long-term care facilities, and food procurement.

In this interview, Gunilla Skoog Ståhlgren and Camilla Björn, Project Leaders of Antibiotic Smart Sweden, explains why their organization supports the global campaign From People to Leaders: Act on AMR NOW! and signed the Global Call to Action.

What motivated your organization to support the campaign From People to Leaders: Act on AMR now and sign this Call for Global Action?

– We believe that AMR is an issue that concerns the whole society and needs to be addressed as such. Everyone has a role to play in ensuring that antibiotics works and continue to save lives. Leaders at all levels – from local to central – have an important role in making sure that there is room and resources allocated for actions on AMR.

One of the key requests in the Call for Global Action is for governments to ensure meaningful participation of civil society in AMR governance and policymaking.

Why do you think this inclusive approach is critical, and what mechanisms would you like to see established to facilitate this engagement?  What specific actions should governments take to address these inequities?

– In our experience, governance and policy making in AMR will be more effective if there is a mechanism that allow civil society to engage and share their perspectives on how AMR impacts different communities. Governments need to develop their listening skills and provide arenas for stakeholders and communities to voice their needs and priorities, as well as get access to the resources needed to engage.

The Call urges investment in public awareness, education and community engagement initiatives around AMR.

Can you share some successful examples of how your organization has worked to educate and mobilize the public on this issue? What more needs to be done?

– Antibiotic Smart Sweden is a collaborative initiative to inspire and motivate different actors in society to participate in efforts to address antibiotic resistance. We believe that what we all do every day matters. That’s why we work in different arenas and support for example schools, hospitals, primary care, elderly care and others to develop structured implementation of antibiotic smart criteria for their work.

– The criteria were developed through participatory approaches and behaviour insights, and builds on the experiences and existing structures of the different communities involved in the initiative. We are currently working to expand our geographical reach and collaborations to achieve our vision of a society where everyone helps to keep antibiotics working and saving lives.