Bali, 24 August 2022 –
Deputy Minister of Health of the Republic of Indonesia dr. Dante Saksono Harbuwono stated that antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is referred to as a silent pandemic. It is because the death rate due to AMR is relatively high.
After concluding the AMR Side Event meeting in the G20 series on Wednesday, 24 August in Bali, Deputy Minister of Health Dante stated that "1.2 million deaths happened because antibiotics are no longer effective against certain infections."
Indiscriminate treatment protocols lead to antibiotic resistance. As a result, the patient's infection worsens, which raises the death rate.
In the AMR side event, Indonesia, a tropical country with a high infection rate, initiated the discussion about the guidelines for using antibiotics. This dialogue is required to control the use of antibiotics and decrease antibiotic-related mortality.
Antibiotic resistance caused by bacteria can also come from plants and animals. The one health approach was emphasized by the deputy minister of health as a solution to these issues.
"Through a one-health strategy, where the infection can originate from either plants or animals. Additionally, doing this is crucial because, as it turns out, there is a lot of irrational use of antibiotics in animals and plants, which leads to human resistance," said Deputy Minister of Health Dante.
The COVID-19 pandemic, according to the Deputy Minister of Health, taught us that a lack of readiness will lead to failure in a number of areas. Antimicrobial resistance is the same. To stop AMR-related disasters, we must all take joint action.
"No single industry can handle this threat alone. AMR necessitates extensive involvement from various stakeholders, according to Deputy Minister of Health Dante.
The Indonesian Ministry of Health is committed to working with other technical ministries at the national level while also transforming the healthcare system.
According to Deputy Minister of Health Dante, "Among the initiatives undertaken, we propose a solution to the AMR problem, especially by establishing a biomedical genome-based science initiative in precision medicine."
The Deputy Minister of Health stated that his party would step up its efforts to combat AMR in the future, particularly in Indonesia. In order to promote sustainable AMR prevention and control at the national and international levels, G20 nations also have a strategic role to play.
