Unique global collaboration on antibiotic resistance
Senior government representatives from more than 30 countries are expected to agree a new global programme for surveillance and tracing of the spread of drug resistant bacteria, at a meeting in Stockholm, Sweden, 2-3 December.
“The current gaps in global tracking and monitoring systems are seriously undermining efforts to fight antibiotic resistance,” says Dr Keiji Fukuda, Assistant Director-General for Health Security at the World Health Organization. “This agreement will put these countries in a much better position to implement the global action plan on antimicrobial resistance WHO will present to governments next year.”
The Stockholm meeting follows the launch of a pivotal WHO report on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in April 2014. The report looked at AMR in 114 countries and found that that all types of AMR including antibiotic resistance, are occurring in every region of the world.
Combatting a major public health threat
Antibiotic resistance—when bacteria mutate so antibiotics no longer work in people who need them to treat infections—is now being recognized by governments and healthcare professionals across the world as a major threat to public health. It is currently occurring across many different infectious agents including treatments for bloodstream infections (sepsis), diarrhoea, pneumonia, urinary tract infections and gonorrhea. It causes people to be sick for longer and increases the risk of death.
The report found that key tools to tackle antibiotic resistance—such as basic systems to track and monitor the problem—show gaps or do not exist in many countries. The Stockholm commitment to new levels of surveillance is an important start in changing this and leads the way for other countries to expand their own surveillance systems.
Sweden has an important role
Sweden has for a long time had an internationally prominent role concerning antibiotic resistance and the country has been a driving force in the development of a global surveillance programme.
“Combating antimicrobial resistance, and especially antibiotic resistance, is a priority for me as well as for the Swedish parliament and government. We will continue our efforts to tackle this serious health threat, both nationally and internationally“, says Minister for Health Care, Public Health and Sport, Gabriel Wikström.
“Sweden has a large experience in the field of antibiotic resistance and therefore we have taken a heavy responsibility in the continuing international collaboration as well. Now we are able to share our experiences on a global level with WHO. It is amazing that so many countries have gathered here in Stockholm in order to resolve upon such an important matter”, says the Public Health Agency of Sweden’s Director-General, Johan Carlson.
A press meeting will be hosted on Tuesday 2 December at 10.15 a.m. at Sheraton Hotel, Tegelbacken 6, Stockholm.
CONTACT: Christer Janson, Public Health Agency of Sweden, mobile: +46 70 712 96 54, email: christer.janson@folkhalsomyndigheten.se