DOH rallies health sector vs. antimicrobial resistance

• Published date: 22 November 2022
• Publication title: Philippines News agency

The health sector is urged to support the fight against the growing problem of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) through adoption of global strategies and tools.

In her speech at the Philippine Antimicrobial Awareness Week 2022 (PAAW 2022), Department of Health officer-in-charge Maria Rosario Vergeire said AMR poses a significant threat to national and global health as she called for the ramping up of the Antimicrobial Stewardship (AMS) training program.

The AMS is a health system strengthening program that optimizes the use of antimicrobials in healthcare facilities, reduces AMR and health-care-associated infections, and saves healthcare costs, among many other benefits.

"Since the establishment of this AMS training program, the Philippines has already trained 100 percent of Level 3 hospitals, 92.29 percent of Level 2 hospitals and 58.71 percent of Level 1 hospitals in Antimicrobial Stewardship. Overall, 71.32 percent of licensed hospitals (all levels) nationwide have already been trained on AMS," she said.

"While these numbers are laudable, we see that there is a need to further strengthen this program especially as we implement reforms under UHC (Universal Health Care) considering that along with those reforms, we expect to develop more facilities at different levels of the health system," she added.

World Health Organization (WHO) Western Pacific Director of Program Management Dr. Corinne Capuano said antimicrobial resistance is threatening health, lives, and the economy.

"Recent data shows that it contributes to nearly five million deaths a year worldwide and disproportionately affects low- and middle-income countries. WHO remains committed to supporting the Philippines in facilitating multi-sectoral collaboration to advocate and implement the One Health approach,' she added.

Vergeire urged the...