THE National Committee for Combating Antimicrobial Resistance held its second meeting at the Ministry of Health and Sports in Nay Pyi Taw on 22 October.
Committee Chairman and Union Minister for Health and Sports, Dr Myint Htwe, first gave some remarks. He said the rise of diseases with resistance to antibodies is a public health concern that brings social and economic threats to Myanmar and the rest of the world. He said unsystematic use of antibiotics can result in viruses evolving better resilience, thus hampering recovery from illnesses and may even lead to death. The Union Minister said they must include more coverage of antimicrobial resistance in the coursework of universities and centres under the ministry and those related to medicine. He said they are using mobile tablets to disseminate the importance of following medical prescriptions to the general public.
The Union Minister talked on the necessity of cooperating with relevant departments to tackle the issues of pharmaceuticals illegally imported through the border, the sales and distribution of medicine without the permission nor license of the Food and Drug Administration Department, and combating antimicrobial resistance. He said private hospitals and clinics also take an important position in these endeavours and they must adhere to prescribed guidelines, standards and procedures.
Next, the secretary of the antimicrobial committee, Deputy Director-General (Lab) Prof Dr Htay Htay Tin, explained the committee’s roadmap, processes, international cooperation, and the tri-sectoral antimicrobial resistance survey. The meeting then commenced.
(Translated by Zaw Htet Oo)
Photo; MNA
Ref; The Global New Light of Myanmar