Saturday 16/November/2024 – 06:23 PM
Dr. Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, Deputy Prime Minister for Human Development and Minister of Health and Population, participated in the high-level round table meeting of African Ministers of Health, of the Africa Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), on antimicrobial resistance and preparedness and response to disease outbreaks.
Dr. Khaled Abdel Ghaffar confirmed that the national action plan to combat microbes is compatible with the global action plan on antimicrobial resistance, stressing the Egyptian state’s keenness to strengthen cooperation with the African Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).
The Egyptian state has made remarkable progress in its infection control program
The Minister of Health said that the action plan for antimicrobial resistance consists of 5 basic pillars, the most important of which is infection prevention and control, as the national infection control program in Egypt has achieved remarkable progress, with a commitment to sharing experience and expanding training initiatives to implement infection prevention and control practices. regionally effective, ensuring that healthcare systems across Africa are equipped for efficient infection prevention and control.
He continued that the second pillar is strengthening laboratories and diagnostic accuracy, stressing the Egyptian state’s readiness to support the African Center for Disease Control and Prevention, through the WHONET program and in cooperation with the Global Antimicrobial Resistance and Use Surveillance System (GLASS), adding that training and capacity building is the third pillar of the strategy, An electronic surveillance program has been implemented for infection prevention and control and antimicrobial resistance, which is currently being implemented in 80 hospitals.
Dr. Khaled Abdel Ghaffar pointed out the importance of the fourth pillar, which is the rational use of antimicrobials, as antimicrobials are consumed continuously, using the World Health Organization’s methodology, represented by the specified daily dose, pointing to the importance of awareness and community participation, which is the fifth pillar. For the strategy, intensive campaigns are being implemented to educate healthcare workers, students, and the public.
The Deputy Prime Minister stressed Egypt’s keenness to strengthen partnerships with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Africa, with full readiness to support collective efforts to combat antimicrobial resistance and strengthen public health systems throughout the continent.
It is worth noting that the high-level round table discussed several topics, including the importance of integrating One Health policies, which emphasize the interconnection between human, animal and environmental health. Participants also discussed strategies for strengthening surveillance, improving rapid response capabilities, enhancing public awareness and mobilizing resources, in addition to Discuss collaborative strategies that can be promoted or developed among African countries to enhance surveillance, rapid response, public awareness, antimicrobial resistance policy development, sustainable financing, local manufacturing, and enhanced infection prevention and control.
