Devex: Opinion: It takes a coalition to defeat antimicrobial resistance
Mohan Joshi, GHSA/AMR technical lead for the USAID-funded Medicines, Technologies, and Pharmaceutical Services (MTaPS) Program implemented by Management Sciences for Health

“…How can countries even begin to tackle the interrelated objectives of improving antimicrobial stewardship, awareness, and surveillance, as well as preventing and controlling infections? A key initial step is to form a national multidisciplinary, multisectoral coalition of all [antimicrobial resistance (AMR)]-related stakeholders. These diverse groups can simultaneously tackle complex issues that need action on a number of fronts. As well as obvious government stakeholders, coalitions need to include the private sector, consumer and faith-based groups, and civil society organizations. … Coalitions need to extend beyond the human health sector to the veterinary, agricultural, and environmental sectors. … Lastly, we need to educate patients and the public, from mass media messaging to the doctor’s office. … Gathering these often disparate groups can be challenging and requires strong leadership and advocacy. But it is only by coordinated action that we’ll be able to provide the united front we need to defeat AMR” (12/6).