In light of the G20 health ministers meeting, the Action for Animal Health coalition congratulates the UK government on the strong commitment it has made to support tackling antimicrobial resistance (AMR) across Africa and Asia over the next three years.
We are pleased that the government is taking a One Health approach to this threat, by investing in laboratories, increasing surveillance capacities and boosting the global workforce.
We urge the government to include the following within its strategy:
- Upskilling the animal health workforce to prevent overuse and misuse of antimicrobials
- Better access to medicines and vaccines across the animal health workforce
- Increased access to animal health services for animal-owning communities to prevent self-medication
- Clear legislation and guidance that highlights the health and security risks of AMR for non-technical audiences
AMR is responsible for the deaths of millions of people each year. Its main driver is the misuse and overuse of antimicrobials. We have seen this issue play out within the animal health sector specifically, where vets around the world simply do not have access to the medicines and vaccines they require.
By taking a coordinated multi-sector approach, the UK and the rest of the G20 can limit AMR and protect the efficacy of antimicrobials for future generations of animals and people.