Health officials are concerned about the high number of people who have died due to Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR).
However, regional governments are doing more to try to minimise these occurrences.
Assistant director at the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) Dr Rhonda Sealey-Thomas said data published last year revealed that AMR contributed to more than 4.7 million deaths a year globally – much more than HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria combined.
“This figure is expected to nearly double to over 8.2 million a year to 2050 with US$1 trillion in additional health care costs,” she said.
She was speaking on Monday night during the launch of Caribbean Antimicrobial Resistance Alliance (CARA) and Strengthening Antimicrobial Resistance Response in the Caribbean at Hilton Barbados. The two projects are being funded by the United Kingdom Fleming Fund.
Sealey-Thomas said the situation was compounded in many of the small island developing states in the Caribbean.
Timely diagnosis
“Approximately 28 000 deaths were associated with AMR in 2021, with close to 7 000 of these directly attributable to AMR. Efforts to combat AMR in our countries have been hampered by challenges in establishing effective surveillance systems ensuring timely diagnosis and providing quality access to antimicrobials.
“Small island developing states also face significant challenges with accessing diagnostics, vaccines, and antimicrobials as well as difficulties transporting samples and specimen. But thanks to CARPHA (Caribbean Public Health Agency), we have managed to overcome some of that,” she added.
AMR occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites evolve to resist the effects of medications that once effectively treated them.
This resistance can lead to treatment failures, prolonged illness and increased health care costs, as well as a greater risk of spreading infections that are difficult or impossible to treat. Overuse and misuse of antimicrobials and inadequate infection control are two causes of AMR.
Barbados’ Chief Medical Officer, The Most Honourable Dr Kenneth George; executive director of CARPHA Dr Lisa Indar; head of antimicrobial resistance and health care-associated infections, and deputy director: epidemic and emerging infections, United Kingdom (UK) Health Security Agency (UKHSA), Dr Colin Brown; Chargé d’Affaires at the British High Commission Charley Williams; and lead of the UK Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) Fleming Fund Regional, Josh Adams, attended the launch.
George also expressed
his concerns and said the launch signalled a powerful regional commitment to coordinated AMR surveillance, laboratory strengthening, policy engagement and integrated One Health action.
The objectives are to provide information-sharing to project partners and stakeholders from PAHO, CARPHA and the UKHSA.
Although strides were being made, George said more has to be done.
“The critical areas that Barbados has identified in its AMR response include public awareness and education, inclusive of medical and paramedical professionals, strengthening of laboratory systems through access to new and emerging technologies to detect resistant microorganisms, expanding our research and development capabilities through forming alliances with academia, training of laboratory staff in AMR, and collaborating with other agencies such as agriculture and veterinary medicine to promote the One Health policy and framework,” he said.
Response
He added that a key part of the response is the investment in Best-Dos Santos Public Health Laboratory.
“The World Health Organisation and the PAHO designated the Best-Dos Santos Public Health Laboratory as a regional influenza centre, reflecting our commitment to global health standards and enhancing our capacity to respond to infectious diseases. In the next few months, we will be working with PAHO to have a similar type designation on AMR so as to ensure the Best-Dos Santos Public Health Laboratory can indeed be an AMR leader in the region.
“Barbados has invested over $3 million in equipment and supplies to Best-Dos Santos, the Veterinary Service Lab and the Government Analytic Lab to strengthen our national AMR response,” he added.
Williams said the UK was committed to working with regional partners.
“The UK has been working closely with our Caribbean partners to drive the international agenda on AMR. I am proud to announce UK seed funding for these landmark projects in the Caribbean. These initiatives will strengthen AMR surveillance across the region and in CARICOM member states where the burden is greater,” she said.
(TG)
