The World Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness Week (WAAW) 2024, observed from November 18 to 24 themed ‘Educate. Advocate. Act Now’, emphasises the urgent need to address antimicrobial resistance (AMR), a critical public health challenge that undermines global sustainable development.
Minister of Health Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Mohd Isham bin Haji Jaafar, Minister of Primary Resources and Tourism Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Abdul Manaf bin Haji Metussin, and Minister of Development Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Muhammad Juanda bin Haji Abdul Rashid jointly highlighted the significance of the week-long campaign in raising awareness about AMR’s widespread socio-economic impacts.
The ministers urged collective action at all levels to address AMR, stressing that continuous efforts across sectors are critical to achieving global and regional goals.
They emphasised that combating AMR is not just a healthcare issue but a long-term investment in the future.
“Let us educate, advocate, and act now to mitigate AMR and safeguard our collective well-being,” they said. AMR occurs when microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites evolve to resist antimicrobial treatments, rendering infections harder to treat.
Brunei Darussalam actively participates in the global fight against AMR through its One Health approach, which integrates human, animal, and environmental health sectors. The Brunei Darussalam Antimicrobial Resistance Committee (BDAMRC), established under the Ministry of Health, works closely with the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism, and the Ministry of Development to implement strategic measures.
Since launching its first National Action Plan (NAP) in 2019, BDAMRC has intensified efforts to address AMR. Despite global challenges – only 27 per cent of countries have effectively implemented their NAPs – Brunei continues to make progress. The development of its next NAP aligns with the latest sector-specific priorities and actions published by international organisations under the Quadripartite collaboration.
In conjunction with WAAW 2024, BDAMRC launched a public awareness campaign centred on ‘Educate. Advocate. Act Now’. Activities include television and radio interviews, public service announcements on social media, and outreach programmes to educate the public and stakeholders about AMR and its implications.
The initiatives emphasise the principles of global health security: Prevent, Detect, and Respond. The campaign serves as a platform for interaction between the public and stakeholders to foster a deeper understanding of AMR and strategies to mitigate it.
WAAW 2024 underscores the urgency for global collaboration in tackling AMR, reflecting Brunei’s steadfast commitment to playing its part in the global health agenda. A global study conducted between 1990 and 2021 estimates that AMR caused 1.91 million deaths and could result in 8.22 million deaths by 2050 if proactive measures are not implemented. By 2035, AMR could reduce global life expectancy by 1.8 years while imposing unprecedented healthcare costs and economic losses. – Fadley Faisal
