Prevent Antimicrobial resistance and its global spread
In 1948, the First World Health Assembly called for the creation of a “World Health Day” to mark the founding of the World Health Organization. Since 1950, World Health Day has been celebrated on the 7th of April annually. Each year a theme is selected for World Health Day that highlights a priority area of concern for global health
World Health Day is a worldwide opportunity to focus on key public health issues that affect the international community. World Health Day launches longer-term advocacy programmes that continue well beyond 7 April.
World Health Day 2011 is very special day for Pakistan. According to 18th Constitutional Amendment five ministries including Health and Social Welfare will be devolved from Federal Government to the provincial governments. This FUNDAMENTAL change in Health system of Pakistan is a double edged sword and can Make or Break health infrastructure of the country. This is the high time politicians and civil society organizations take it seriously. The devolution of Health Ministry is delayed because of several reasons including lack of clarity, expertise and vested interests in addition to cultural negligence of HEALTH.
This is the HIGH TIME being First World Health Day after implementation of 18th Constitutional Amendment that Provincial Governments should constitute Task Forces comprising of Think Tanks and federal and provincial health functionaries to re-organize and create infra-structure of Health on sound footings. Apparent apathy which is visible today will take heavy toll of our generations if appropriate policies and procedures are not established.
A number of International partners are assisting our government/s to improve health sector and there are very few national experts who can really stir us through this change successfully to achieve the target of Health For All according to Millennium Development Goals (MDG).
- WHO will launch a worldwide campaign to retain efficacy of these medicines for future generations. Antimicrobial resistance and its global spread threaten the continued effectiveness of many medicines ( ANTIBIOTICS) used today to treat the INFECTIOUS DISEASES which were considered un treatable
- Struggle for survival (of the fittest) is a constant challenge. Human genius has developed antimicrobial agents and vaccines which have ensured survival of mankind in the present century. Without effective antimicrobial agents perhaps tuberculosis, plague, super infections in small pox, measles, rubella, typhoid, diarrhoeal diseases, respiratory tract infections, etc would have wiped out human race from the face of earth.
- Pakistan is one of the few countries which are facing very serious problem of antimicrobial resistance. There is no regulation of health care profession and all kinds of medicines are available over the counter. Pharmacies are operated by unqualified individuals. Majority of Pharmaceutical industry also lack ethical promotion practices
- Spurious drugs and smuggled medicines add fuel to the fire and ironically persons involved in this kind of trading do not think that they are responsible for ‘killing’ of so many innocent people.
- In certain large tertiary care hospitals multidrug resistant bugs have been reported which can not be treated by any of the available medicines which leads to death of infected individuals. A number of patients especially cases of post burns infections, post operative infections especially of bone and joints and MDR tuberculosis pose a serious threat of disability and death.
“Invest in Prevention and Protection of Health to avert Debts and Disasters”
Dr. M. Rafiq Khanani
World Health Day 2011
