ANTIMICROBIAL (AMR) resistance are now considered a serious global threat and is estimated to be responsible for 25,000 human deaths per year in the EU alone.
This was revealed by the permanent secretary for the Ministry of Agriculture, David Kolitagane, while officiating at the launch of World Antibiotics Awareness Week mini seminar at the Novotel Suva Lami Bay convention centre in Lami yesterday.
Mr Kolitagane said antimicrobial resistance was an important topic that needed to be addressed.
“We are talking about a very important topic in Fiji that affects animal health, animal life and as well human health.”
Mr Kolitagane also said the World Health Organization (WHO) declared AMR as the threat to human health since 2014 as it was negatively affecting our global ability to achieve the UN sustainable goals.
“AMR also involves the environment factors.”
He said the Health Ministry and the Agriculture Ministry were working together to combat the issue.
