First Lady inaugurates the National Action Plan Antimicrobial Resistance

The National Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance (NAP AMR) will be formally inaugurated by First Lady Saajidha Mohamed at a special event in H. Meerumaa on December 4, 2024. This comprehensive five-year plan, to be implemented from 2024 to 2029, marks the Maldives' second dedicated initiative to combat antimicrobial resistance. The first National Action Plan, endorsed by the Minister of Health in 2017, which laid the groundwork in addressing this huge global health challenge.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global health threat that undermines decades of progress in human health and development. AMR occurs when antimicrobials—such as antibiotics, antivirals, antifungals, and antiparasitic—lose their effectiveness against infections. As a result, diseases that were once easily treatable become difficult or even impossible to manage. This leads to longer hospital stays, disabilities, and increased mortality rates. Globally, AMR is responsible for over 1.27 million deaths annually, inflating healthcare costs and impeding economic progress. The World Health Organization (WHO), recognizing the urgency of this issue, endorsed the Global Action Plan on AMR in 2015 at the 68th World Health Assembly. Member states, including the Maldives, were called upon to develop national strategies to tackle AMR.

In response, the Maldives initiated a situation analysis in 2016, which informed the development of its first NAP AMR. This plan facilitated the establishment of the National Multi-Sectoral AMR Coordination Committee to oversee its implementation, with the Maldives Food and Drug Authority (MFDA) serving as the secretariat. Significant achievements under the first action plan include the development of key policies, guidelines, and standards aimed at minimizing the development and spread of AMR in the country.

The National Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance (2024–2029) has been developed through a thorough review of the previous plan, including its implementation and challenges. This updated plan is fully aligned with the WHO’s Global Action Plan and reflects the Maldives' commitment to strengthening governance, enhancing regulatory frameworks, ensuring accountability, and establishing robust monitoring systems. It builds upon past successes while addressing gaps to create a more resilient system for combating AMR.

A cornerstone of the new plan is the integration of the One Health approach, which emphasizes the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health. This holistic strategy recognizes that AMR is a multi-faceted issue requiring coordinated action across sectors. By addressing disease prevention, detection, preparedness, response, and management, the plan aims to promote health and sustainability while achieving universal health coverage, ensuring animal welfare, and safeguarding food security.

Structured around seven strategic objectives, the NAP AMR (2024–2029) outlines specific interventions and activities to achieve its goals. These include strengthening laboratory capacity, promoting antimicrobial stewardship, enhancing awareness through education and training, and fostering international collaboration to contribute to global AMR surveillance networks. The plan also emphasizes the importance of robust data collection and analysis to inform policies on antimicrobial use, infection control, and resource allocation.

The Maldives’ unique geographic and resource constraints make addressing AMR particularly challenging. However, the achievements of the first action plan demonstrate the country’s capacity to adapt and innovate. Through the implementation of the new plan, the Maldives reaffirms its commitment to combating AMR, aligning with international health security agendas, and contributing to the global effort to safeguard the effectiveness of life-saving antimicrobials for future generations.