Stakeholders Come Together to Prioritize Actions to Address Antimicrobial Resistance
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) occurs when microorganisms adjust in response to the misuse or overuse of antimicrobial and develop resistance toward antimicrobial drugs. As a result, the drugs lose their effectiveness in treating infections and illness caused by bacteria, parasites, viruses and fungi.
The World Health Organization (WHO) considers AMR as a threat toward global public health and development. However, not many people understand the risks associated with AMR. According to the recent studies, 1.27 million deaths globally were attributed to AMR, more deaths than HIV/AIDS or malaria.
H.E. Dr. Ly Sovann, Director of the Communicable Disease Control Department (CDC) delivers opening remarks.
The Communicable Disease Control (CDC) Department of the Ministry of Health is playing an important role in raising awareness and increasing cooperation to tackle antimicrobial resistance. The Department organized a two-day workshop in Kampong Cham aiming to identify strategies in combating AMR in Cambodia. The event was presided over by Dr. Ly Sovann, Director of the Communicable Disease Control Department (CDC). The workshop brought together 60 participants from different departments of the Ministry of Health and development partners to present learning achievements and set priorities that stakeholders can work together to address the issues of AMR in Cambodia.
In his opening remarks, Dr. Sovann noted that there is not enough scientific data and information which is an obstacle in developing health interventions and advocating the need for increased focus on AMR. He also stressed the importance of raising awareness among health providers and the general public about the responsible use of antibiotics and risks related to misuse and overuse of such drugs. He raised examples of good cooperation among stakeholders on the effort in combating COVID-19 pandemic and said that we could make similar achievements if we work together toward common goals.
The workshop aims to set priorities for AMR efforts was organized on May 16-17, 2022 in Kampong Cham.
Ms. Chi Socheat, Country Director of PSI Cambodia, speaks at the workshop about PSI work related to AMR.
As a result, Dr. Ly Sovann encouraged stakeholders including WHO and US-CDC and civil society to contribute to the efforts of controlling and preventing AMR. Recently, PSI Cambodia who funded the workshop has also contributed to the AMR work. He hoped that in the future there would be more players in the arena of AMR and infection control.
