PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad -Trinidad and Tobago is to host next week the Caribbean Workshop on National Action Plans for Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) that health officials have described as a major global public health and economic issue that requires a coordinated, multisectoral response.
(File Photo)“It threatens the effective treatment of an ever-increasing range of infections caused by bacteria, parasites, viruses, and fungi, resulting in prolonged illness and increased mortality, often disproportionally impacting the most vulnerable populations,” according to the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO).
The two United Nations organizations said that the 68th World Health Assembly adopted a global action plan on antimicrobial resistance on May 15, 2015 with member countries subsequently endorsing the Plan of Action on Antimicrobial Resistance in 2016, encouraging countries and territories to develop their National Action Plans (NAPs).
The organizers said the workshop here will provide the opportunity for PAHO to highlight novel approaches, strategies, and tools available to Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries for consideration when formulating or updating their NAPs.
Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh , as well as the PAHO/WHO Subregional Programme for the Caribbean, Dean Chambliss and the CARICOM Assistant Secretary-General, Human and Social Development, Alison Drayton, will be among those addressing the opening ceremony on Tuesday.
