FAO Consultative Workshop on Assessment of AMR Surveillance System and Laboratory Network in Pakistan

Food and Agriculture Organization FAO Pakistan organized a consultative workshop in Islamabad for the assessment of the National Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Surveillance System and Laboratory Network of Pakistan. Experts from federal and provincial institutions as well as experts from the Food and Agriculture Organization attended this workshop on FAO ATLASS. They assessed the AMR Surveillance System through this AMR Surveillance Tool.

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Florence Rolle, FAO Representative in Pakistan, attended the opening ceremony of the two-day workshop. Chief Executive Officer of the National Institute of Health Dr. Muhammad Salman and Animal Husbandry Commissioner Dr. Muhammad Akram also joined. Dr. Muhammad Afzal, Dr. Khalid Naeem Khawaja, and others were also among the guests. Secretary Livestock Punjab Saqib Ali Ateel was the chief guest of the closing ceremony. At the beginning of the event, National Project Co-ordinator AMR-ACT, Dr. Riasat Wasee Ullah, presented the background of the workshop. He also highlighted various aspects of antimicrobial resistance.

During the workshop, Dr. Peter Flanagan, Dr. Michael Treilles, Dr. Nicolas Keck, Dr. Phillis Ochieng, Dr. Usman Zaheer, and Dr. Riasat Wasee Ullah presented the different components of  FAO ATLASS (Assessment Tool for Laboratories and AMR Surveillance Systems) along with its aims and objectives. Moreover, FAO experts reviewed the status of AMR surveillance system, laboratories, and ongoing activities in this regard in Pakistan in consultation with experts from different institutions under this tool.

FAO Delegation Visit of Livestock Department 

Effects of AMR on Humans, Animals, and Environment

On this occasion, experts said that antimicrobial resistance is an emerging challenge in Pakistan as well as in other countries of the world. Unnecessary and irresponsible use of antibiotics and other antimicrobial drugs in humans and animals leads to various problems. Overuse of these drugs in humans reduces their effectiveness over time and reduces their ability to fight disease-causing bacteria. As a result, these medicines cannot work against the disease in the body.

Experts further said that the irresponsible use of these drugs in animals also renders these drugs ineffective against the disease over time. Moreover, excessive use of these drugs in livestock and poultry affects humans as well. Residues of additional drugs enter the human diet through meat and milk, increasing the potential for antimicrobial resistance in humans.

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The experts further said that the overall reckless use of antibiotics and other antimicrobial drugs in humans and animals also affects the environment, which in turn affects humans and animals. Antibiotic residues enter the environment through waste. Furthermore, these residues become part of human food again through crops and water. Moreover, these residues also enter human food through fish.

Experts emphasized that to control this problem, it will have to be dealt with focusing on humans, animals, and the environment. Further, it has to involve health professionals, animal health professionals, environment professionals, aqua professionals, and other stakeholders.

Experts at AMR Surveillance Assessment Workshop

Florence Rolle, FAO Representative in Pakistan, emphasized that AMR must be controlled under the One Health approach. She highlighted the importance of collaboration in standardization, technical capacity, and policy dialogue. Moreover, NIH Chief Executive Officer Dr Muhammad Salman said that the National Institute of Health is working with all stakeholders to overcome this problem. Furthermore, Animal Husbandry Commissioner Dr. Muhammad Akram welcomed the FAO and emphasized the implementation of the recommendations. He said that the experts have to take practical steps to reduce the use of antimicrobial drugs.

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During the workshop, Dr. Peter Flanagan highlighted various aspects of the assessment tool (FAO ATLASS), focusing on foodborne AMR. He said that due to integrated data and a reduction in the use of antimicrobial drugs in livestock, Pakistan can become an international food basket.

More Discussion at Workshop on FAO ATLASS

Dr. Usman Zaheer said that AMR is such a problem that it has no national, regional, and sectoral boundaries. He said that aspects like governance, awareness, surveillance, and reduction in use of antimicrobial drugs should be focused on this issue. Moreover, Dr. Nicholas and Dr. Michael shed light on the various components of this assessment tool (FAO ATLASS) and its objectives.

Dr. Tamoor Hamid talked about the activities of the National Institute of Health regarding AMR and National Action Plan. Dr. Rehana Kausar highlighted the importance of antimicrobial resistance in the aqua sector and offered suggestions regarding its control. Dr. Muhammad Abubakar gave a briefing on activities related to AMR in the Animal Health Sector in Pakistan. Furthermore, Dr. Phillis Ochieng introduced a new FAO tool to assess the veterinary drug residues in food.

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Closing Ceremony of AMR Surveillance Assessment Workshop

During the workshop, FAO experts discussed various aspects of FAO-ATLASS (Assessment Tool for Laboratories and AMR Surveillance Systems) and reviewed the facilities, capacities, and infrastructure of federal and provincial institutions. On this occasion, Pakistan AMR National Action Plan and its implementation status was also reviewed.

Secretary Livestock Saqib Ali Ateel specially participated in the closing ceremony of the workshop. He welcomed this assessment tool of FAO and assured all possible support from the Department of Livestock Punjab. At the end of the workshop, Dr. Riasat Wasee Ullah thanked all the participants and guests.

Editor In Chief

Dr. Jassar Aftab is a qualified Veterinarian having expertise in veterinary communication. He is a renowned veterinary Journalist of Pakistan. He is veterinary columnist, veterinary writer and veterinary analyst. He is the author of three books. He has written a number of articles and columns on different topics related to livestock, dairy, poultry, wildlife, fisheries, food security and different aspects of animal sciences and veterinary education.

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