A ceremony was held in Amman on Sunday to commemorate World Antimicrobial Awareness Week (WAAW), an annual global campaign to raise knowledge and understanding of antimicrobial resistance.
The ceremony was patronized by Her Royal Highness Princess Alia bint al-Hussein. This is year’s edition of WAAW is being celebrated under the theme “Preventing Antimicrobial Resistance Together”.
The most recent research shows that antimicrobial resistance rates are rising in nations of all income levels, leading to an increase in the prevalence of common diseases that are incurable and an increased risk of needing life-saving medical procedures like major surgery and cancer chemotherapy.
In this regard, Jordan has advanced in combating antimicrobial resistance, according to Minister of Health Firas Hawari. He noted that the Kingdom joined the Global Antimicrobial Resistance and Use Surveillance System (GLASS) in 2018 and set up a national antimicrobial resistance surveillance system.
However, there is still much work to be done to combat antimicrobial and antibiotic resistance, according to the minister, who added that effective frameworks governing antimicrobial supply and use are required.
Hawari expressed gratitude to the World Health Organization, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, the World Organization for Animal Health, and the United Nations Environment Program for their cooperation under the banner of the “One Health Approach” and the provision of the necessary technical support in aiding Jordan’s efforts to combat this phenomenon.
Agriculture Minister Khaled Hanifat addressed the issue of antimicrobial resistance, explaining that his ministry promotes the prudent use and management of antimicrobial products in animals and keeps tabs on the production and import of veterinary medicines.
Nabil Assaf, the FAO representative in Jordan, stated in the same context that combating antimicrobial resistance necessitates a “one health approach,” which unites the efforts of the human and animal health sectors to change how antimicrobials are used in the best possible way.
Antimicrobial resistance, he continued, poses a global threat and has a number of negative effects, including the inability to treat illnesses, which increases mortality and causes serious or long-lasting illnesses, as well as production loss, reduced livelihoods, and effects on food security.
Jamila Rabi, WHO representative in Jordan, for her part, emphasized the necessity and urgency of addressing the threat posed by antimicrobial resistance and urged multisectoral cooperation.
Source: Jordan News Agency