Health Minister Fahad Al-Jalajel And FIA President Mohammed Bin Sulayem Advocate For Stronger Global Action Against Antimicrobial Resistance

Minister of Health Fahad Al-Jalajel and FIA President Mohammed bin Sulayem have called on nations to develop effective national plans against antimicrobial resistance. They stress the need for public awareness and sustainable access to essential medicines. This appeal was made during a visit to the Jeddah Corniche Circuit, coinciding with the Fourth High-Level Ministerial Meeting on Antimicrobial Resistance in Jeddah on November 15 and 16.

The conference, attended by over 57 health and agriculture ministers and deputy ministers, aims to devise strategies to reduce deaths from antibiotic-resistant infections. Without immediate action, these fatalities could reach 10 million annually by 2050. Al-Jalajel highlighted the importance of raising awareness about antimicrobial resistance as a crucial part of each country's action plan.

Al-Jalajel also advised on the rational use of antibiotics in both humans and food chains to combat this growing "silent" epidemic. He noted that support from the FIA president "bolsters our endeavours by encouraging motorsport clubs to collaborate with their governments and public and private institutions in their respective countries to implement our recommendations," emphasizing the "One Health" approach's significance in tackling this global issue.

Mohammed bin Sulayem urged 150 motorsport and motorcycle clubs worldwide to back the UN International Declaration and outcomes from the Jeddah meeting. He encouraged rational medicine use and broader access to new treatments and diagnostics. This collaboration highlights motorsport's role in promoting health initiatives globally.

World Health Organization Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus expressed gratitude towards Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Health and FIA for leading this international effort. "I am grateful to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and FIA for their dedication to addressing the dual challenge of ensuring access to antimicrobials and promoting their responsible use," he stated, acknowledging their commitment.

This initiative underscores a collective effort involving various sectors, including sports, health, and agriculture, aiming for a unified response against antimicrobial resistance. The collaboration between different entities is crucial for implementing effective measures worldwide.

The meeting in Jeddah serves as a platform for sharing knowledge and strategies among nations, fostering a global response to antimicrobial resistance. By uniting efforts across sectors, countries can better address this pressing health challenge.

With inputs from SPA