Jordan, WHO review plan to combat antimicrobial resistance

AMMAN — Health Minister Feras Al Hawari on Tuesday met Assistant Director General for the Antimicrobial Resistance Division (AMR) at the World Health Organisation (WHO) Hanan Balkhy and discussed a national plan to combat antimicrobial resistance in 2022 and 2023.

According to a ministry statement, cited by the Jordan News Agency, Petra, Hawari stressed the importance of developing the health sector to act against antimicrobial resistance, adding that a comprehensive tech package was granted to seven countries to implement National Action Plans (NAPs).

He said the ministry has taken multiple measures to protect against bacteria resistant to antibiotics, noting that work is underway on the ministry's NAP (2018-2022), in addition to a multisectorial national committee to fight antimicrobial resistance in Jordan and establish a national coordination centre to follow up on monitoring system data.

The minister underscored the importance of education on the dangers of misuse of antimicrobials, stressing the ministry's commitment to regulating antimicrobial prescriptions in partnership with the pharmacists’ association, as well as activating the Medical Accountability Act to cut back on prescriptions of unnecessary drugs.

Hawari expressed his appreciation of the WHO’s support for the health ministry in many fields and combatting antimicrobial resistant germs.

Meanwhile, Balkhy said that the WHO is offering tech support for countries to expedite conducting NAPs and boosting cooperation to address antimicrobial resistance.

Jordan is one of the seven countries benefitting from the WHO's technical support to implement its NAP against antimicrobial resistance, with support from Saudi Arabia, she noted.

WHO Representative to Jordan Jamela Al Raiby said that the Kingdom is the fourth country in the eastern Mediterranean region to endorse a NAP, noting that WHO will keep offering technical support for Jordan to enhance policies and lab efficiency and raise awareness.