In his Big Read “When the drugs don’t work” (September 24), Michael Peel discusses the increasing health crisis caused by antimicrobial resistance. The UN is once again taking up AMR as a world health issue. In the past, other efforts were undertaken, such as the Antimicrobial Resistance Fighter Coalition, to create greater awareness of AMR. But in order to address AMR there is a need for a number of concerted actions.
We need enhanced surveillance of resistance and monitoring of the use of antibiotics, not only in humans but in animals.
We must align stakeholders of AMR on the threat and establish standards on the appropriate use of antibiotics, and create the diagnostic tools to address AMR. And finally we need to establish measures to improve sanitation, hygiene and infection prevention.
In the absence of a comprehensive approach that is supported by all stakeholders, deaths from AMR will only continue to rise.
Mark Kessel
Former Chair, Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics (FIND)
Geneva, Switzerland
