Jeddah, Saudi Arabia- November 15, 2024—In a key gathering that underscored the urgency of addressing one of humanity’s most pressing health challenges, Saudi Arabia hosted the Fourth High-Level Ministerial Meeting on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR). The meeting brought together global health leaders and experts worldwide to combat what experts call a ‘silent pandemic.’
“AMR threatens people of all ages, impacting human, animal, and plant health, environment, and food security,” stated Saudi Health Minister Fahad Al-Jalajel during the opening session. “To successfully contain AMR, we must adopt a comprehensive One Health approach that systematically addresses the obstacles hindering progress.”
“Antimicrobial resistance represents a serious threat to global public health, and we look forward to working with anyone, anywhere to take on the challenge of eliminating AMR. We must build on current partnerships and forge new alliances to secure the health, safety, environment and economic development the world needs.” The Saudi Minister of Health, concluded
The meeting marks a significant milestone in the global fight against AMR, with Saudi Arabia set to announce three groundbreaking initiatives. Dr. Abdullah Assiri, Assistant Deputy Minister for Preventive Health, revealed that these initiatives will address pressing AMR issues within a tangible timeframe, complete with monitoring and evaluation processes.
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The meeting’s comprehensive approach addresses multiple sectors, as explained by Dr. Mohammed bin Khalid Al-Abd Al-Aali, Assistant Minister of Health: “The One Health approach brings human health, agriculture, animal health, and environment all together. The leaders from the member states represent all these domains, sharing ideas and tackling this complex issue.”
WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus emphasized the immediate nature of the threat: “Antimicrobial resistance is not a risk for the future; it is here and now, making many antibiotics and other medicines on which we depend less effective, and making routine infections harder to treat, debilitating or deadly.”
The economic stakes are equally compelling. According to Dr. Hanan Balkhy, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean, effective action could save $99 billion annually in healthcare costs by 2025 and potentially expand the global economy by $990 billion by 2050. However, the challenges are substantial – developing a new antibiotic takes approximately 10 years and costs $1.2 billion, yet bacterial resistance can render these antibiotics ineffective in just two years.
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Environmental factors play a crucial role in the spread of AMR, as highlighted by UNEP Executive Director Inger Andersen: “The Jeddah Declaration calls for immediate action to protect the environment as part of our AMR response.” She emphasized the need for reduced effluents and waste from pharmaceutical production, agrifood, healthcare facilities, and municipal systems.
Furthermore, The gathering builds upon previous global initiatives, including the 2016 UN General Assembly Political Declaration on AMR and the recent Muscat Manifesto. With proper intervention, experts project the prevention of 92 million deaths by 2050 through improved healthcare and equitable access to antibiotics.
