Health officials have labeled Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) a ‘silent pandemic’ threatening Pakistan’s public health, prompting a high-level national symposium focused on creating sustainable strategies to combat the growing menace of drug-resistant infections.
The gathering, titled the “National Symposium on Sustainable AMR Containment,” was hosted on Monday by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in partnership with the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination (MoNHSRC) and the Fleming Fund to mark World Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness Week.
Dr. Muhammad Salman, the Chief Executive Officer of NIH, described the escalating issue as a critical threat and emphasized the institute’s leadership in the nation’s scientific response. ‘World AMR Awareness Week is not just about raising awareness; it is a call to action. Our focus must now shift to sustaining AMR containment measures across human and animal health sectors,’ he stated.
The Special Secretary Health reinforced the government’s commitment to tackling the crisis through strengthened policy enforcement and improved resource allocation. The official underscored a “One Health” approach, which integrates efforts across human, animal, and environmental sectors for a comprehensive solution.
Dr. Ayesha Isani Majeed, Director General of Health at MoNHSRC, stressed the importance of operationalizing the country’s National Action Plan on AMR (NAP) and reinforcing regulatory frameworks. “We are committed to equipping hospitals and communities to use antimicrobials responsibly to preserve their efficacy for future generations,’ she affirmed.
Representing international partners, Dr. Qadeer Ahsan of the Fleming Fund outlined the organization’s support for modernizing Pakistan’s diagnostic capacity. He highlighted the goal of ensuring sustainable, high-quality data generation to guide evidence-based policy.
The event featured technical sessions on Infection Prevention and Control (IPC), surveillance of Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAI), and environmental AMR monitoring. These discussions showcased progress in national surveillance systems while also identifying the need for better waste management to curb the spread of resistance.
The symposium concluded with a high-level panel discussion on implementing NAP 2.0. The dialogue focused on improving inter-provincial coordination, overcoming operational challenges, and establishing a clear roadmap for the effective execution of containment strategies, with stakeholders agreeing that sustained action is crucial to protect Pakistan’s public health.