First Lady Sajidha Mohamed has emphasised that the misuse of antimicrobials in the agriculture and fishing sectors presents significant risks to food security and could impede national development. She made these remarks at the launch ceremony of the National Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) 2024–2029.
Speaking at the ceremony, First Lady Sajidha highlighted that the misuse of antimicrobials would not only have detrimental effects on hospitals and clinics but also lead to the spread of resistant bacteria into the food supply through agriculture and aquaculture. This, she noted, poses serious threats to public health and livelihoods. She also pointed out that such misuse could negatively impact tourism and hinder overall national development.
Furthermore, First Lady Sajidha noted that the National Action Plan adopts the "One Health" approach, emphasising the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health. She explained that the plan ensures an integrated response to AMR, fostering collaboration across healthcare, agriculture, and environmental management sectors.
Additionally, First Lady Sajidha elaborated that addressing AMR is not only a public health priority but also an economic necessity. Building synergies and fostering collaboration among stakeholders, pooling resources, sharing knowledge, and driving innovation are crucial to successfully implementing the One Health approach.
During the ceremony, the first lady officially launched the five-year National Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance (NAP AMR) for 2024–2029. Building on earlier efforts, the plan aligns with the WHO’s Global Action Plan and aims to enhance governance, regulations, accountability, and monitoring systems while addressing gaps to combat antimicrobial resistance.