First Lady Sajidha Mohamed has officially launched the five-year National Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance (NAP AMR) for 2024–2029. The strategic plan aligns with the World Health Organisation’s Global Action Plan and aims to enhance governance, regulations, accountability, and monitoring systems while addressing gaps to combat antimicrobial resistance.
Decisions have been made to ensure the effective implementation of the plan to address the national challenges posed by antimicrobial-resistant bacteria. As part of the plan, guidelines will be developed to guide relevant authorities on how to collaborate in raising public awareness and implementing necessary changes to existing rules and regulations.
Speaking at the launch ceremony, Minister of Health Abdulla Nazim emphasised that the challenges posed by antimicrobial-resistant bacteria are global in nature, and reiterated the WHO’s call for unified efforts from all nations to address the issue at the highest levels. He also highlighted President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu as an exemplary leader committed to resolving the problem.
During the ceremony, WHO Representative to the Maldives Dr. Anuruddhe Thushara Ranasinghe described antimicrobial resistance as a global crisis. He stressed that the lack of capabilities to combat various microbes continuously puts people at risk, stressing the need for collective global action. He also commended the Maldives for its successes in addressing the issue.
The number of deaths attributed to antimicrobial-resistant bacteria has been rising annually, with the situation worsening since 2015. In response, the WHO urged countries worldwide to take action to mitigate the issue. In 2017, the Maldives introduced its first National Action Plan, and now, the five-year NAP AMR for 2024–2029 has been launched.