2018-10-01
Geneva, 1 October 2018
By: Andreas Sandgren, ReAct – Action on Antibiotic Resistance, on behalf of Stichting Health Action International
10:30-12:00 The discussion on the draft framework Chapter 1 and 2 focuses on related overarching questions, scope, objectives & goals, the legal form, and the relationship with the Global action plan on AMR and the IACG.
10:30-12:00 Discussion on the draft framework Chapter 1 and 2:
- Thank you Chair, on behalf of Health Action International, ReAct – Action on Antibiotic Resistance is grateful for the opportunity to speak at today’s meeting.
- The continued development of this framework should ensure full coordination with the work of the UN Interagency Coordination Group (IACG) to ensure that the processes are aligned in their recommendations.
- We are concerned that so few countries have responded to the recent public IACG consultations with even fewer responses coming from low- and middle income countries (LMICs).
- LMICs will carry a heavy toll of the consequences of unaddressed antimicrobial resistance (AMR) including the direct threat that it poses to the achievement of a number of the sustainable development goals incl. on health and poverty. Over 90% of the additional 28.3 million people at risk of falling into extreme poverty by 2050 in a high-impact AMR scenario would live in low-income countries. This should be a major concern for all countries!
- The primary responsibility for the implementation of national action plans lies with Member States. Misuse and overuse of antibiotics continues to be widespread in all countries.
- High income countries HICs have the means to act now! And should show leadership by urgently introducing measures to reduce their unnecessary use of antibiotics – incl. by setting targets. We warmly welcome the framework’s suggestion to introduce such targets.
- However, the world’s collective response to antibiotic resistance will only be as strong as the weakest healthcare delivery and food production system will allow. In LMICs where health systems and agricultural systems are weak, financing streams and technical resources need to be established and made available to support their strengthening.
- Importantly the process forward – regardless of its legal form – must be driven by all Member States and include mechanisms to consult with civil society and other relevant stakeholders. Strong safeguards against conflicts of interest are essential for such mechanisms to work in the public interest and towards the global common good.
Contact: andreas.sandgren@medsci.uu.se