Access, prevention, and education are all key to tackling antimicrobial resistance across the world, a University of Oxford scientist has said.
Professor Timothy Walsh, director of biology at the Ineos Oxford Institute for Antimicrobial Research, outlined these priorities at the UN High-Level Meeting on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) on Thursday, September 26.
The meeting is an opportunity for world leaders to adopt a coordinated approach to combatting AMR, which Professor Walsh described as the "biggest health challenge of our lifetime".
He warned of the impacts of AMR, saying: "Antibiotics are becoming increasingly ineffective in treating common illnesses such as urinary tract infections.
Professor Walsh stressed the solutions to prevent this crisis are known, and achievable with collaboration between governments, research organisations, the finance sector, and civil society.
He called for a UN Framework Convention on AMR, which he said would coordinate the actions of member states, generate and assess scientific evidence, monitor risks, and ensure sustainable investment across AMR activities.
"Such a UN Framework Convention on AMR will help build and sustain global political action, bolstered by research expertise, civil society advocacy, and private sector partnerships," he said.
He argued there is a need for increased AMR surveillance, particularly in low-and-middle-income countries, which he said will bear the maximum burden of untreatable infections and deaths due to AMR.
Professor Walsh also highlighted the lack of accurate AMR-related data in these countries and the scarcity of access to microbiology laboratories.
He stressed "robust and strong" surveillance systems worldwide are essential to tackle AMR.
Professor Walsh also emphasised the importance of protecting the future of global health through improved access, prevention, and education.
He said: "The most cost-effective and efficient way to avert the spread of antibiotic resistance is to reduce the need for antimicrobials.
"Access, education, and prevention at local and national levels can help achieve this."
Professor Walsh outlined the "critical" need for access to effective antibiotics, vaccines, and diagnostics.
He said safe drinking water, effective sanitation, vaccination programmes, and infection prevention and control measures would help to prevent the spread of drug-resistant infections.
Calling for better medical and veterinary teaching programmes, international fellowships, and international scholarships for professionals in low-and-middle-income countries, he highlighted the importance of education in fighting AMR.
Online learning tools and apps, he argued, should also play a role in supporting a "more coherent and cohesive approach" to education, training, and professional development.
Professor Walsh concluded by saying the urgency of the antibiotic resistance crisis requires "continuous political attention".
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