Towards Policies to Prevent Antimicrobial Resistance

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is an emerging public health crisis, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, where knowledge gaps are more dominant. The pandemic has further enhanced AMR with long-term repercussions, exacerbating social vulnerabilities. A ‘one health’ (OH) approach with cross- sectoral collaboration is, therefore, essential to ensure sustained action across the human-animal-environmental interface. Under the OH approach, the G20 nations should formalise a collaborative governance structure, with representatives from health, agriculture, animal husbandry, water and sanitation, and climate sectors. The G20 must also foster research and development efforts on this front. Stringent regulatory frameworks must be developed across the value chain of antimicrobials, and national action plans must formulate surveillance strategies (comprehensive and sentinel) to inform policies and infection prevention and control responses. Social scientists and communication specialists must be engaged to identify key factors hampering behavioural change while mobilising communities towards the development of stewardship interventions.