MoU signed to tackle growing antibiotic resistance in Pakistan

Drug resistant bugs are a “fundamental threat” to global health according to the UN.

Antibiotic use in Pakistan has increased by 65 percent over the last 16 years and the overuse of antimicrobials in hospitals nationwide has increased resistance resulting in severe illness and even deaths, as reported by Dawn news.

To tackle the growing issue of antimicrobial resistance, the Islamabad Healthcare Regulatory Authority (IHRA) officials and representatives of the Fleming Fund programme have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU), as per a statement issued by the IHRA. The IHRA is an autonomous health regulatory body enacted under the Islamabad Health Regulation Act, 2018.

The MoU will allow public health interventions in five public and private hospitals in Islamabad. Healthcare professionals and administrators of selected hospitals will be trained in antimicrobial resistance (AMR) concepts and the importance of AMR stewardship.