Consummate Health and Sanitation, a youth and student organization which aims at calling for creating awareness on the proper use of contraceptive and sanitation, has called on the Government of Liberia (GOL) and partners for a stronger commitment to address AMR.
Speaking at a day-long program in observance of World AMR Awareness Week (WAAW) 2024, held under the theme, “Educate, Advocate, Act Now”, the Executive Director of the Organization, Martin M.N Forkpah, called for AMR recognition in the national development agenda.
According to Martin, the national development agenda should recognize AMR as a critical threat to health and development in Liberia, with far-reaching impacts on human and animal health, the economy, and ecosystems, posing a serious risk to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.
“Highlight the disproportionate impact of AMR on vulnerable populations, including underprivileged, marginalized, and displaced communities, and the additional strain it places on Liberia’s health system. An equitable response is crucial to ensuring access to quality healthcare,” Forkpah disclosed.
He at the same time emphasized that the global burden of AMR as reflected in the alarming data on antibiotic resistance, which results in over 1.2 million deaths yearly and contributes to nearly 5 million deaths annually.
The youth leader said, “Without immediate action, AMR will exacerbate poverty and inequality in Liberia, compounding the vulnerabilities of low- and middle-income countries,” he stated.
The Executive Director of Consummate Health and Sanitation acknowledged the misuse and overuse of antimicrobials in human health, animal husbandry, aquaculture, agriculture, and untreated waste from pharmaceutical production as drivers of AMR.
The Youth group outlined ten counts in fighting AMR by the Government of Liberia (GOL) and partners, including the setting up of measurable targets to reduce the burden and spread of AMR, ensuring community-led monitoring and transparent reporting of progress, establishing mechanisms for meaningful, inclusive participation of youth.
In closing, Executive Director Martin Forkpah affirmed that Liberia’s response to AMR must be holistic, equitable, and rooted in active participation from all sectors, especially the youth united in diversity to addressing the global and national crisis with urgency and solidarity.
Speaking on behalf of the government at the ceremony, a representative from the Ministry of Health AMR Focus Person, Dr. Saybah Manyango Payveh, said the fight for antimicrobials resistance is everybody’s business, which has made infectious diseases difficult to treat. Because of this, everyone has a common goal to achieve, which is to eradicate AMR from Liberia. Dr. Payveh said this can be achieved by using the one health approach by actors in the sector to collectively fight the ills in society.
She at the same time assured Consummate Health and Sanitation group of a smooth working relationship and creating more awareness on the proper use of contraceptive in the country.
Representing LMHRA, Dr. Teedoh E. Beyslow, Deputy Director PV/CT LMHR, said antimicrobial resistance is an old age problem which, if no attention is given, the next generation may find themselves in serious trouble.
Director Beyslow called for holistic approach to be taken by every actor in the sector to help fight the spread of the disease.
The LMHRA Director urged the young people to make use of the teaching by going out in their various communities to propagate the issue.