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Dhaka, December 3, 2023 – icddr,b in collaboration with the Global Antibiotic Resistance Partnership (GARP);an international network to contain and combat Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) organised "Antimicrobial Resistance and Vaccines Workshop" at the Golden Tulip Hotel, Dhaka today.
Antimicrobial resistance poses a great threat to global health, potentially undermining the effectiveness of essential medicines and medical procedures. Vaccines can help prevent AMRby reducing antibiotic use through lowering disease burden and disease transmission.
icddr,b Scientist Dr Wasif Ali Khan, GARP Chair, Bangladesh welcomed the participants, highlighting the achievements of GARP Bangladesh chapter since its launch in 2016. He urged everyone to join the discussion for finding solutions for overcoming AMR challenges in Bangladesh.
Mr Rishiraj Bhagawati, Senior Research Analyst, One Health Trust (formerly CDDEP), India, delivered a presentation titled "Communicating the value of vaccines to address AMR—Evidence from Bangladesh." He provided an overview of the GARP initiatives and said, “The GARP currently is focusing on linking AMR to the issue of immunisation around the world. By immunising, not only the disease burden is reduced, but also antimicrobial resistance among the population can be reduced.”
Following that, an overview of the AMR situation in Bangladesh was presented by Prof. Md. Sayedur Rahman, Chairman, Dept. of Pharmacology, BSMMU.
Prof. Tahmina Shirin, Director, IEDCR, Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), in her speech said, “The use of antibiotics is huge in animals as well as in humans, which cannot be ignored. We have been working on AMR for a long time; we have the evidence, we know where the gaps are, but we still don’t know how to address these. We need to inform our policymakers now so that we can overcome the challenges in containing AMR."
Dr Tanvir Hossen, Deputy Programme Manager,Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI), DGHS, presented on EPI in Bangladesh and role of vaccination in AMR and highlighted the continuous efforts of the Government of Bangladesh on introducing necessary vaccines for tackling growing AMR concerns.
Presenting on the steps to contain AMR in Bangladesh, Dr Aninda Rahman DPM, AMR-CDC, DGHS, briefed about the National Strategic Plan on AMR, AMR surveillance, antimicrobial stewardship guideline. He also mentioned that IEDCR and icddr,b are working to strengthen microbiology laboratories training in the country.
Prof. MA Faiz, Former Director-General, DGHS, in his special remark emphasised educating future physicians.
Dr Md Shafiqul Islam, Deputy Director ,CDC, DGHS, in his closing remarks said, “There are a lot of physicians who practice privately and are not aware of the ethical use of antimicrobials. From the interactive discussions, it is very evident that we need to educate and make them aware.”
The workshop, funded by the One Health Trust, brought together a diverse group of experts, researchers, policymakers, and government representatives to discuss and strategies on combating AMR by recognising the value of vaccines in tackling AMR.
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