Welcome to the new WHO Antimicrobial Resistance Newsletter 2021
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Spring 2021
Welcome to the WHO Antimicrobial Resistance Newsletter
Hanan Balkhy, Assistant Director-General, AMR Division, WHO
@HananBalkhy
It gives me great pleasure to present our new WHO AMR Newsletter.
It is nearly six years since the World Health Assembly approved the Global Action Plan on AMR. While a lot still needs to be done, much has been achieved at country, regional and global level, of which we can all be proud. Today, 143 countries have a National Action Plan on AMR and we are committed to supporting countries in implementing these plans.
In these quarterly newsletters we will share with you updates on progress by countries, and activities taking place at all three levels of the organization with the support of our partners and our donors. We will alert you to new, important publications, projects, events and high-level fora taking place around the world on AMR.
We will also focus on the implications of the COVID-19 pandemic for AMR. And while the pandemic has stretched resources and health systems everywhere, it has highlighted the crucial importance of implementing the interventions that lie at the core of national AMR plans, such as systems strengthening, infection prevention and control, laboratory strengthening, antimicrobial stewardship, WASH, and supply chain management, to name a few.
AMR is now, rightly, mobilizing public health, civil society and political leaders around the world, as well as those at the front line of providing safe and effective health care. We have much to learn from each other and we hope that this newsletter serves as an informative insight into the wealth of work that is happening in this field. Please feel free to circulate this newsletter as widely as you like.
Finally, I would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to our Member States, all our donors, supporters and technical partners without whom none of these achievements would have been possible.
Thank you!
One Health Global Leaders Group on AMR
On 20 November 2020, WHO, FAO and OIE announced the establishment of the One Health Global Leaders Group on Antimicrobial Resistance. Co-chaired by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of Bangladesh and Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley of Barbados, the Group brings together heads of government, ministers, private sector and civil society leaders and fulfills the recommendation of the Interagency Coordination Group on AMR to catalyze political momentum to combat AMR globally. The Group met for the first time virtually on 26-27 January 2021. Read the announcement to learn more about the Group and its members.
Dr Tedros and Co-Chair, Prime Minister Mottley of Barbados
"Following the recommendations of the Interagency Coordination Group on Antimicrobial Resistance, we have come together to advocate for urgent action to combat the threat of AMR, to reinvigorate global political momentum & to catalyze action in a One Health approach".
Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General
Strategic and Technical Advisory Group on AMR
Professor Gunnar Kahlmeter, Chair of STAG-AMR
This year will also see the re-launch of the Strategic and Technical Advisory Group on AMR. Twenty experts in their field, from around the world, will be meeting regularly to provide advice and recommendations to the WHO Director-General.
Click here to learn more about the new STAG-AMR and its membership.
Multi-partner Trust Fund for AMR
Contributions to the Multi-Partner Trust Fund (MPTF) have now reached USD 13 million following generous donations by the Governments of the United Kingdom, Sweden and the Netherlands. The fund has been established to support multi-sector activities in low and middle-income countries as well as activities at global level.
Following an initial round of proposals, 6 countries have now been approved to receive funding. Funds have also been approved to support multi-sector activities at the global level in integrated surveillance, monitoring and evaluation, legal and regulatory frameworks and the environment. The fund is managed by UNDP. Click on the link to access information about the fund, how it operates and the activities being supported.
National Action Plans on AMR
As of January 2021, 143 countries have finalized an AMR National Action Plan that is aligned with the Global Action Plan on AMR. Another 43 countries are in the process of developing their plans. Click here to learn how WHO is supporting countries to implement their National Action Plans. Click on the new link to access the full library of officially approved National Action Plans on AMR.
The Tripartite AMR Country Self-Assessment Survey (TrACSS) has been monitoring the implementation of AMR national action plans annually since 2016. A global Tripartite Analysis Report will be published in Spring 2021. The results from the latest round (2019-2020) of the survey are available now on the TrACSS global database.
AMR and COVID-19
"Antimicrobial stewardship activities should be integrated into the pandemic response across the broader health system"
Bull World Health Organ 2020;98:442–442A
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a dramatic impact on how antibiotics are used and misused inappropriately in health-care settings. Read how one infectious disease specialist, Dr Fabio Soldani, tackled the overwhelming challenge of restricting the use of antibiotics on the COVID-19 front line in northern Italy.
Dr Hanan Balkhy and colleagues from the WHO AMR Division describe the challenges of tackling AMR in the COVID-19 pandemic in an Editorial in the WHO Bulletin.
The WHO European Office have published a suite of advocacy documents to explain how AMR affects different health contexts. Click here to see how COVID-19 is affecting AMR.
Reaching the objectives of the Global Action Plan for AMR
World Antimicrobial Awareness Week 2020
In 2020, the scope of the World Antimicrobial Awareness Week (WAAW) was expanded from antibiotics to include all antimicrobials. Hundreds of events and activities were organized by various stakeholders at the global, regional and country level.
Click on the WAAW 2020 button to read more about the campaign and access campaign materials.
Compilation of international instruments on use of antimicrobials
A new compilation of international instruments on use of antimicrobials across the human, animal and plant sectors, as well as their release into the environment, is now available. Developed jointly by WHO, FAO and OIE in consultation with UNEP, the report identifies existing instruments and standards to guide their implementation and to inform discussions and direction for future international instruments related to antimicrobial use. The report is available for download via the link in English, Spanish and French, and will soon be available in Russian.
Global Antimicrobial Resistance and Use Surveillance System (GLASS)
“The enormous expansion of countries, facilities and patients covered by the new AMR surveillance system allows us to better document the emerging public health threat of AMR,”
Dr Hanan Balkhy, ADG AMR, WHO
In June 2020, WHO released the third report from the Global Antimicrobial Resistance and Use Surveillance System (GLASS). The report describes the elements and status of development of GLASS and summarizes; the results of the data call on 2018 AMR data from participating countries, territories and areas; their participation and progress in AMR-related surveillance; and AMR surveillance activities globally.
An extensive global online consultation, hosted by the Governments of Sweden and Korea, on the further development and implementation of GLASS is currently underway. To learn more about the consultation and its objectives visit glass2020.org
AMR and water, hygiene and sanitation
WASH and wastewater management are vital to combat AMR. Learn the facts and what can be done with this new Tripartite Technical Brief published by WHO, FAO and OIE now available in English, French, Spanish, Portuguese and Russian.
WHO and UNICEF are calling for urgent investment in sanitation to combat infectious disease and antimicrobial resistance and to transform health, economies and the environment within a generation. A new report, State of the World's Sanitation, brings together data and evidence to show it can be done.
WHO and UNICEF have also come together to launch a global call to action to implement existing commitments to deliver universal hand hygiene. The Hand Hygiene for All Initiative calls on key actors to take action as an imperative in tackling AMR, COVID-19, and other infectious diseases.
WHO is developing multi-faceted strategies to integrate IPC and WASH efforts to improve hand hygiene in health care. Access the technical brief to find out more.
In September 2020, new technical guidance for the IPC professional was published jointly by the AMR and IPC technical teams at WHO. The guidance aims to contribute to the safety of patients and health-care workers, as well as quality of care, by preventing harm from health care-associated infections and antimicrobial resistance, and focuses on the competencies needed to fulfil this role.
Antimicrobial stewardship
Toolkit available in multiple languages
WHO has developed a practical toolkit on antimicrobial stewardship to provide guidance on implementing policies and procedures on responsible use of antimicrobials at the health-care facility level. The toolkit is available in multiple languages and can be downloaded here.
Integrated antimicrobial stewardship: new policy guidance in development
Following an extensive global consultation in December 2020, WHO is now finalizing new policy guidance to support the implementation of integrated antimicrobial stewardship for the human health sector.
New report reveals how sepsis is driving AMR
The Global Report on the Epidemiology and Burden of Sepsis published in September 2020, highlights sepsis as a major driver in the use of last resort antimicrobials, contributing to the emerging global threat of AMR. In turn, AMR is decreasing the effectiveness of available antimicrobial therapy and leading to increasing deaths with no options for treatment.
Access a wealth of podcasts and presentations from the World Sepsis Congress in the recent events section below.
Research & development for AMR
Following the meeting of experts in November 2020, work is now underway to update the reports of the pre-clinical and the clinical antibiotic pipelines. The reports will be published in March 2021 and will include, for the first time, a review of all non-traditional antibacterial agents such as phages, enhancers and biological treatments.
Read more about WHO's work on pipeline analysis here.
WHO will also be publishing a review of vaccines in clinical development that target priority bacteria. Later in 2021, the first priority list of fungal pathogens together with a review of fungal agents in clinical development will be published. Read the full report of the initial meeting.
Updates from WHO Regions and Countries
Nigeria's young "health ambassadors" play key role in raising awareness of AMR
DRASA, a Nigerian organization, has partnered with WHO to empower AMR "health ambassadors" in youth clubs to raise awareness of use of antibiotics amongst their peers. Click here to read one young ambassador's story.
AMR Stewards for the future rally across the Western Pacific Region
As part of the celebrations for WAAW 2020, countries across the Western Pacific Region joined a regional webinar to celebrate the regional movement "Stewards for the Future to Fight AMR" and share their country stories. Discover more about the movement and to watch some inspiring videos.
European countries contribute evidence for policy
European Member States are working with the Evidence-informed Policy Network (EVIPNet) and the AMR programme at the WHO Regional Office for Europe to develop a series of Evidence Briefs for Policy (EBP), a synthesis of policy options based on systematic reviews and setting-specific research.
Newly published EVPs are available now describing the experiences and lessons learned in Romania, Hungary, Slovenia and North Macedonia.
"At this point, we do not know whether the increased demand is a result of COVID-19... It is up to us to remain strong in our position and avoid prescribing when unnecessary.”
Dr Khadicha Boymatova, WHO Country Office, Tajikistan
Tajikistan rolls out rapid AMR training for hospital staff on COVID-19 frontline
In response to a rapid increase in demand for antibiotics in 2020, Tajikistan’s Ministry of Health and Social Protection have conducted trainings to tackle the misuse of antibiotics, to promote the rational use of antimicrobials and to remind health professionals that their use should be avoided in viral infections. The trainings have taken place with 4 of the largest hospitals in the country and have reached over 500 clinicians and senior nurses. Click here to read more.
Progress in tackling AMR across South-East Asia
The WHO Regional Office for South-East Asia has published a comprehensive report analyzing progress in addressing antimicrobial resistance across the region since 2016. The report draws on data from three rounds of annual AMR national self-assessment surveys. Access the report here.
Special Issue on AMR in the Americas
The September 2020 Special Issue of the Pan American Journal of Public Health focuses on AMR. Over 20 articles address evidence acquired in the Americas on a range of issues including the epidemiological, microbiological, clinical and socioeconomic aspects of AMR, the impact on health and the economy, and the One Health approach. Access the Special Issue.
New Infographic on Health Workers Safety
A new infographic is available from the WHO Regional Office of the Eastern Mediterranean on the importance of IPC for health workers safety. Download the pdf here.
News and events
Catch up on recent events
The Antimicrobial Resistance Fighter Coalition recently ran a fascinating series of webinars on "AMR in the Light of COVID-19". The series explores what today's pandemic can tell us about a future world without antibiotics. Watch the webinar series here.
In September 2020, Public Policy Projects International (PPPi) and Hospital Times hosted a high-level roundtable to discuss AMR. Chaired by Baroness Nicola Blackwood of North Oxford, speakers included Professor Dame Sally Davies, Special Envoy to the UK Department of Health and Social Care for AMR, Dr Hanan Balkhy, Assistant Director-General for Antimicrobial Resistance at the WHO and Dr Ron Daniels, Chief Executive of the UK Sepsis Trust and Executive Director of the Global Sepsis. Watch the full event.
In September 2020, WHO and the Global Sepsis Alliance organized a major international congress on Sepsis, Pandemics and Antimicrobial Resistance: Global Health Threats of the 21st Century. All presentations and podcasts are free to access at wscspotlight.org
On 3 December, Dr Hanan Balkhy joined a high-level panel discussion Evidence to Action: Advancing the Antimicrobial Resistance Agenda during a Pandemic. The webinar was hosted by the International Vaccine Institute (IVI), the International Centre for Antimicrobial Resistance Solution (ICARS) and the Embassy of Denmark in Korea. Watch the full event.
During WAAW 2020, European leaders of OIE, WHO and FAO came together at a joint webinar and confirmed that a Regional Tripartite Secretariat is to be established for Europe. The platform will be accountable to the Global Tripartite Secretariat and Members Countries, ensuring a bottom-to-top approach. Speakers all stressed the importance of a One Health approach to tackling AMR across all sectors. Read the full report.
- The 148th session of the Executive Board of the World Health Assembly was held virtually from 18 to 26 January 2021. On the agenda was consideration of the Report by the Director-General on Antimicrobial Resistance during which Member States and non-state actors alike expressed their support for WHO's work on AMR. Read the Director-General's report and access the statements submitted by Member States and non-state actors here.
AMR in the news
Hanan Balkhy, ADG, AMR Division talks to The Telegraph about the links between AMR and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Peter Beyer and Sarah Paulin, WHO AMR Division, present an update in the WHO Bulletin from their findings on the state of the antibiotic pipeline.
In a WHO Bulletin Editorial, WHO, IFPMA, Wellcome Trust and the European Investment Bank present the newly launched AMR Action Fund for research and development into new antibiotics.
- WHO AMR Division staff co-author an article in Health Policy discussing different innovative approaches taken by countries to the reimbursement of antibiotics.
Upcoming Events
The 4th UAE International Hybrid Conference on Antimicrobial Resistance (ICAMR), will be held on 18-19 March 2021 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Explore the Scientific Programme and register.
- Uppsala Health Summit will be held 15-18 March 2021 and will focus on behaviour change to reduce the threat of resistance including policy change and communication strategies. Explore the full Programme and register.
Join the WHO AMR team
The WHO AMR Division at Headquarters is currently looking for talented candidates for a number of positions. Please click on the links below to access the full vacancy notices and the recruitment portal to apply.
To learn more about the Member States and partners who are supporting WHO's work on AMR please visit the WHO web site.
If you would like to get in touch with us at the WHO AMR Division or subscribe to the newsletter, please write to AMRNEWS@who.int
