Addressing Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) in Low-Income Countries: A Threat to Global Health and Development.

Thank you for the opportunity to contribute to AMI’s response to the UK Government’s International Development Committee inquiry. I would like to propose a topic of investigation: The Impact of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) on Global Health and Development in Low-Income Countries. I am a PhD student at Redeemer's University, in Nigeria, I am presently monitoring the presence of Antibiotic resistant bacteria and genes in drinking water sources in rural and urban communities in Nigeria.

Proposal Overview

AMR is a pressing issue that disproportionately affects low-income countries due to challenges such as weak healthcare systems, lack of access to diagnostics, and the overuse and misuse of antibiotics. This undermines global health interventions and threatens sustainable development goals, especially those aimed at reducing maternal and child mortality, combating infectious diseases, and ensuring good health and well-being (SDG 3).

Introduction

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a silent pandemic disproportionately affecting low-income countries, where limited resources hinder effective healthcare delivery. AMR jeopardizes progress in international development, particularly in areas like maternal health, infectious disease control, and poverty eradication. It poses a direct threat to the objectives of the UK’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) by increasing healthcare costs, reducing productivity, and destabilizing economies.

On a personal level, AMR is not just a global issue, it is deeply personal. I lost my aunt in 2020 to an infection that conventional antibiotics could no longer cure. Her passing highlighted the human cost of AMR and the critical need for action in countries with limited access to advanced treatments and diagnostics.

Why is it the right time for the Committee to examine the area?

The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the misuse of antibiotics, accelerating resistance in vulnerable regions. Additionally, the World Health Organization (WHO) continues to identify AMR as one of the top global health threats. With the UK committed to global leadership in health security, now is the opportune time for parliamentary scrutiny to ensure AMR is addressed comprehensively through ODA-funded programs.

Why would this area benefit from parliamentary scrutiny?

Parliamentary scrutiny can identify gaps in how the UK supports low-income countries in combating AMR, ensuring ODA funds are effectively utilized. An inquiry would examine the integration of AMR mitigation strategies into broader development goals and assess the UK's role in supporting global health systems through training, surveillance, and innovation. By highlighting the critical link between AMR and international development, the Committee could lead the charge in addressing this urgent issue.

Why does the Government need to act in this area?

AMR is eroding decades of progress in global health. Without immediate action, the UK risks failing its international development commitments, including Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) like reducing child mortality and ensuring universal health access. The Government must act to mitigate AMR’s impact by prioritizing it within ODA strategies and fostering international collaboration.

How could Government policy in this area be developed or improved?

The Government could:

1. Invest in AMR research, diagnostics, and surveillance systems in low-income countries.
2. Support the establishment of antibiotic stewardship programs and community education initiatives.
3. Strengthen waste management and sanitation systems to prevent the spread of resistant bacteria.
4. Promote affordable access to new and alternative antimicrobial treatments for vulnerable populations.
5. Foster global partnerships to ensure a coordinated response to AMR challenges.

AMR is a challenge that transcends borders, affecting not just health systems but the very fabric of development. My personal experience with this issue highlights its human impact and the urgency for action. An inquiry by the International Development Committee would ensure the UK remains a global leader in addressing this critical threat to health and development.

Helpful Information

Have you ever engaged with Parliament before?

No

Do you have personal or field experience related to international development issues?

Yes – Conducted field research on waterborne AMR in Southwest Nigeria.

If you are invited to pitch your idea to the Committee, would you be able to travel to London and back within the same day?

Yes