Health Minister Affirms Significance of International Efforts to Address Antimicrobial Resistance
Minister of Health Fahad Al-Jalajel has emphasized that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, under the leadership of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and HRH the Crown Prince, prioritizes human health in all aspects.
The minister pointed out that the Kingdom has emerged as a hub for addressing global challenges in accordance with its Vision 2030. He also affirmed that the Kingdom's hosting of the Fourth Global High-Level Ministerial Conference on Antimicrobial Resistance reflects its dedication to the world in addressing the challenge of antimicrobial resistance, which is one of the major global challenges.
During his speech at the conference, held in Jeddah from November 14 to 16, the health minister asserted that all countries participating in this ministerial meeting are acutely aware of the global challenge and the urgent need to take new measures to address antimicrobial resistance through infection prevention and control, full implementation of national action plans, and the necessary steps to provide equitable access to antibiotics. This presents a significant opportunity to strengthen the global response and transition from statement to implementation.
Al-Jalajel underscored the significance of concerted international efforts and the development of solutions to address this health threat, which currently constitutes one of the most urgent global health threats. He reviewed the milestones that have been addressed in previous editions of the Ministerial Conference on Antimicrobial Resistance, including the launch of the action plan for global antimicrobial resistance, the formation of the quadruple alliance of related organizations, the United Nations Environment Program, and the activation of the "One Health" approach to achieve balance between human and animal health and ecosystems in an optimal sustainable manner.
At the conclusion of his address, the health minister emphasized the critical role of the participants in endorsing the Jeddah declaration to facilitate the development of sustainable solutions for combating antimicrobial resistance. He underscored the need for immediate and swift actions to tackle this health crisis and safeguarding the advancements of modern medicine, particularly antibiotics that have been instrumental in saving millions of lives.
