Around twenty-five staff from the Animal Health and Production Division and the Fiji Cooperative Dairy Company Limited (FCDCL) are attending a two days Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) workshop at the Koronivia Research Station.

In opening the workshop yesterday, Permanent Secretary for Agriculture and Waterways, Dr. Andrew Tukana said that Antimicrobial resistance is a global health threat that transcends borders, affecting every nation and community.

“The World Health Organization has declared AMR as one of the top ten global public health threats facing humanity. The rise of resistant pathogens threatens to undo decades of medical progress, making once-treatable infections potentially deadly,” said Dr. Tukana.

AMR occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites evolve to resist the effects of medications, rendering standard treatments ineffective and infections persistent.

This resistance leads to longer hospital stays, higher medical costs, and increased mortality. According to recent estimates, AMR is responsible for approximately 700,000 deaths annually, a number projected to rise to 10 million by 2050 if no action is taken.

Dr. Tukana reminded participants that the workshop aims to provide a comprehensive introduction to AMR, covering its causes, consequences, and the strategies that can be employed to combat it.

“Addressing AMR requires a one Health multi-faceted approach involving healthcare professionals, environmentalists, policymakers, researchers, and the public. It is a shared responsibility that demands collaboration across sectors and disciplines. By working together, we can develop and implement effective strategies to mitigate the impact of AMR and safeguard the efficacy of antimicrobial agents for future generations,” added Dr. Tukana.

Sessions covered during the two days includes:

Principles and guidelines of antimicrobial use.

Surveillance and Monitoring: The importance of tracking resistance patterns and the role of data in informing policy and practice.

Antimicrobial Stewardship: Strategies to optimize the use of antimicrobials in healthcare settings.

Infection Prevention and Control: Best practices to prevent the spread of resistant infections.

Promoting responsible antibiotic use

Strategies for Reducing Antimicrobial Use in Livestock

“I urge each of you to think critically about the role you can play in addressing AMR. Whether you are a clinician, a Paravet, a researcher, a lab technician, policymaker or advocate, your contributions are vital. Let us use this opportunity to learn from each other, build partnerships, and commit to taking concrete actions to combat AMR.”

Dr. Tukana also thanked the Fiji Cooperative Dairy Company Ltd and its Veterinary Consultant Dr Ken Cokanasiga, for initiating the programme, the Animal Health and Production leadership for its support and helping with the logistical arrangements, and USAID through FAO for sponsoring the workshop.

ENDS

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