G20 nations pledge to strengthen health systems, combat AMR

The G20 nations, including India, today pledged to strengthen health systems and also combat the menace of antimicrobial resistance, which the grouping termed as a "growing threat" to public health and economic growth.
The declaration adopted by the nations said they would aim to tackle the spread of AMR through implementation of their respective national action plans based on "one health" approach.
"We call on the UN to keep global health high on the political agenda and we strive for cooperative action to strengthen health systems worldwide, including through developing the health workforce," the declaration said.
The nations, including India, recalled that universal health coverage is a goal adopted in the 2030 Agenda and recognise that strong health systems are important to effectively address health crises.

"We call on the UN to keep global health high on the political agenda and we strive for cooperative action to strengthen health systems worldwide, including through developing the health workforce," it said.
The grouping also pledged to strive to fully eradicate polio.

"We also acknowledge that mass movement of people can pose significant health challenges and encourage countries and International Organisations to strengthen cooperation on the topic," it said.
The nations also supported the World Health Organisation's central coordinating role, especially for capacity building and response to health emergencies, while encouraging full implementation of its emergency reform.
"We advocate for sufficient and sustainable funding to strengthen global health capacities, including for rapid financing mechanisms and the WHO's Health Emergencies Programme," it said.

Terming AMR a growing threat to public health and economic growth, the G20 pledged that to tackle its spread in humans, animals and the environment, nations will aim to have implementation of their respective National Action Plans based on a One-Health approach.
The nations also underlined that treatments should be available through prescription or the veterinary equivalent only.
"We will strengthen public awareness, infection prevention and control and improve the understanding of the issue of antimicrobials in the environment.
"We will promote access to affordable and quality antimicrobials, vaccines and diagnostics, including through efforts to preserve existing therapeutic options," the declaration said.

The nations also highlighted the importance of fostering research and development, in particular for priority pathogens as identified by the WHO and tuberculosis.
"We call for a new international R&D Collaboration Hub to maximise the impact of existing and new anti-microbial basic and clinical research initiatives as well as product development.
"We invite all interested countries and partners to join this new initiative. Concurrently, in collaboration with relevant experts including from the OECD (Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development) and the WHO, we will further examine practical market incentive options," it said.