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Ammon News - Health Minister Firas Hawari on Tuesday met Assistant Director-General for the Antimicrobial Resistance Division (AMR) at the World Health Organization (WHO), Hanan Balkhy, to discuss a national plan to combat antimicrobial resistance in 2022 and 2023.

According to a ministry statement, Hawari stressed the importance of developing the health sector to take action against antimicrobial resistance, adding that a comprehensive tech package was granted to 7 countries to implement National Action Plans (NAP).

He said the ministry has taken numerous measures to protect against bacteria resistant to antibiotics, noting that work is underway on the ministry's NAP (2018-2022) in addition to a multi-sectoral national committee to fight antimicrobial resistance in Jordan and establish a national coordination centre to follow up on monitoring system data.

The minister underscored education on the dangers of the unjustified use of antimicrobials, stressing the ministry's commitment to regulating prescription procedures of antimicrobials in partnership with the Pharmacists Association and activating the medical accountability act to curb prescription of unnecessary drugs.

Hawari valued the major role of WHO in supporting the health ministry in many fields and combatting antimicrobial resistant germs.

For her part, Balkhy said WHO is offering tech support for countries to expedite conducting NAPs and boost cooperation to address antimicrobial resistance.

Jordan is one of 7 countries benefiting from WHO's technical support to implement its national action plan against antimicrobial resistance with support from Saudi Arabia, she noted.

WHO Representative in Jordan Jamela Al-Raiby said the Kingdom is the fourth country in the Eastern Mediterranean Region to endorse a NAP, noting that WHO will keep offering technical support for Jordan to enhance policies and lab efficiency and raise awareness.