Dec 8, Singapore: The inaugural Economist Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Summit was held in London in early 2019 and it established the need for greater attention globally on this public health threat.
The Economist took their next event to Singapore in Dec,2019 as Asia, with a population of 4 billion, is seen as a lynchpin in the global fight against AMR. AMR would have the most profound impact on Asia with an estimated death of 2 million people by 2040 if no major and coordinated efforts are taken.
The AMR Summit Asia brought together experts from government, industry and academia in Asia to take AMR which is now receiving attention only by a narrow group of concerned scientists and politicians to a mainstream policy priority for governments in Asia and the world.
Our CEO SP Nathan was invited by the Economist to the event. He shared his views on this important threat highlighting that the issue at hand is about prudent management of antimicrobial use both in humans and in livestock and not its total eradication.
On building the political momentum for combating AMR, he said what is needed is political will and financing as currently not enough resources are allocated for this. Mainstreaming the issue is key so that it receives enough political and public attention.
He added that AMR education at the school level, and public and media awareness about AMR and public health, food safety and hygiene needs to be increased to tackle the AMR menace.
The event concluded on a high note urging all stakeholders to work together to build universal advocacy under the one health ambit to address the public health threat of AMR.
PublicPolicyAsia Advisors specialises in research and policy advocacy on antimicrobial use and antimicrobial resistance in Asia. It engages stakeholders in helping to contribute to shaping policies based on international standards and science related to prudent antimicrobial use and resistance.