05 August 2025
Excellencies, distinguished colleagues,
It is a pleasure to join you today for this timely roundtable on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and health workforce education.
I thank Dr Saad Alfuhaid, President of the Arabian Gulf University,
for bringing us together, and I warmly acknowledge the leadership of Dr Jameela Alsalman, Chair of WHO’s Strategic and Technical Advisory Group on AMR.
AMR remains one of the defining health challenges of our time. In 2021 alone, more than 96,000 deaths in the Eastern Mediterranean Region were attributable to bacterial AMR—nearly a third of this was among children under five.
Across our Region, surveillance systems remain limited, and diagnostic stewardship is underdeveloped. Equitable access to quality antibiotics is not guaranteed—undermined by disrupted supply chains and compounded by over-the-counter sales that contribute to inappropriate use.
Yet there are signs of meaningful progress. Infection prevention and control; vaccination; and water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) are increasingly recognized as vital tools in AMR prevention. And nearly all Member States have developed national action plans—a sign of strong political will.
Countries across the Region are integrating WHO’s AWaRe classification into their essential medicines lists, and One Health coordination is advancing.
But for these efforts to succeed, we need a health workforce that is equipped, empowered, and supported. Education and training are our first line of defence.
Future health professionals—whether prescribers or not—must understand the science behind antimicrobial drugs, how to prevent infections, engage with communities, and ensure the safe and responsible use of antimicrobials.
WHO has developed a range of tools to support Member States, including a