World Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness Week Highlights Global Health Challenge.

Bandar Seri Begawan: World Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness Week 2024 has brought attention to the critical public health issue of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), where infections no longer respond to treatment. AMR poses a complex challenge to sustainable development, impacting human health, well-being, food safety, economic development, equity, and environmental conditions. This was emphasized in a joint message by the Minister of Health, the Minister of Primary Resources and Tourism, and the Minister of Development in conjunction with the global awareness campaign.

According to Radio Television Brunei, the ministers, Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Doctor Awang Haji Md Isham bin HAJI Jaafar, Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Doctor Awang Haji Abdul Manaf bin Haji Metussin, and Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Muhammad Juanda bin Haji Abdul Rashid, outlined the campaign’s objectives to raise awareness of AMR’s urgent global health implications and its wide-ranging socioeconomic impacts. The country
is actively participating in the global movement to combat AMR at a national level through the One Health approach, facilitated by Brunei Darussalam’s Antimicrobial Resistance Committee, established in 2018. The committee’s Quadri-partite collaboration includes the three ministries, and the campaign engages the public and stakeholders to enhance understanding of AMR and related issues. This year’s theme, ‘Educate, Advocate and Act Now’, promotes a holistic and progressive approach to addressing AMR.