National Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance Timely in the Fight to Secure Health of Ghanaians - President Akufo Addo

President Akufo Addo has described as a timely intervention and a strong signal on the part of the state on its desire to secure public health in Ghana, the introduction of a National Policy and National Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance.

Speaking at the launch of the National Action Plan and National Policy on Antimicrobial Resistance at the Accra International Conference Centre, President Akufo Addo, quoting the Director General of the World Health Organization, stated that, "the lack of effective antibiotics is as serious a security threat as a sudden and deadly disease outbreak". To this end the President indicated that everything within the power of the state needs to be employed to deal with the phenomenon of antimicrobial resistance.

"The phenomenon of antimicrobial resistance represents a great threat to the realization of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) three (3) which warrants all our efforts been geared towards overcoming the resistance," the President said. 

President Akufo Addo added that the country's inability to fight the resistance "will mean that simple treatments for infections such as gonorrhea and pneumonia can no longer be possible because of the phenomenon of antimicrobial resistance". The President urged the SDG Secretariat as well as the Ministries of Health, Food & Agriculture, and Environment, Science & Technology, the three Ministries spearheading the implementation of the Action Plan, to ensure smooth execution of the Policy and Action Plan. 

How Does Antimicrobial Resistance Occur?

Antimicrobial resistance occurs when microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites change in ways that render the medications used to cure the infections they cause ineffective. When the microorganisms become resistant to most antimicrobials they are often referred to as “superbugs”. This is a major concern because a resistant infection may kill, can spread to others, and imposes huge costs to individuals and society.

What is the Antimicrobial Resistance Threat?

Antibiotic resistance poses a serious threat to public health, patient care and safety, and national security. Past approaches used to manage antibiotic development and uses are failing. This issue has reached a critical point, as bacteria are becoming increasingly resistant to the antibiotics readily available and new drugs are not being developed at a pace fast enough . The longer it takes to address resistance and the lack of new antibiotic development, the harder it will be to solve these problems. The time has come for specific public policy strategies and research activities to be adopted. 

Why is Antimicrobial Resistance a Global Concern

New resistance mechanisms are emerging and spreading globally, threatening the world's ability to treat common infectious diseases, resulting in prolonged illness, disability and death. Without effective antimicrobials for prevention and treatment of infections, medical procedures such as organ transplantation, cancer chemotherapy, diabetes management and major surgery (for example, caesarean sections or hip replacements) become very high risk. Antimicrobial resistance increases the cost of health care with lengthier stays in hospitals and more intensive care required. Antimicrobial resistance is putting the gains of the Millennium Development Goals at risk and endangers the achievements of the Sustainable Development Goals.