Expert Panel at World Summit on the Information Society Brings Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness to a New Audience

Global Coalition on Aging Brings AMR to the Forefront at WSIS 2024

In a groundbreaking development at the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS), the Global Coalition on Aging (GCOA) convened a panel discussion on “The Role of ICTs in Addressing the Challenges of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)” on May 30, 2024. This event marked the first time AMR was addressed at this prominent gathering of global Information and Technology Ministers, representing a significant milestone in raising awareness beyond the traditional medical and scientific communities.

The Growing Threat of AMR

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses one of the most pressing health challenges of our time. Dr. Pol Vandenbroucke, VP Global Government Affairs at Shionogi, emphasized the dire consequences of a world without effective antibiotics. “Antibiotics are the cornerstone of modern medicine; without them, cancer therapy, immune-suppressive therapy, or surgery become highly risky. A simple scrape or small wound could mean death or amputation,” he stated. This issue is particularly critical for the aging population, which includes approximately 1.5 billion people over 60 who are at greater risk.

The statistics surrounding AMR are alarming. Currently, AMR is responsible for over 1 million deaths annually, with projections indicating it could cause 10 million deaths each year by 2050-surpassing deaths from cancer — but, according to Dr. Vandenbroucke, “…information and communication technologies can play a decisive role in supporting in the data gathering, surveillance and the diagnosis and treatment” of AMR infections, stressing the importance of this WSIS connection.

Leveraging Technology to Combat AMR

The panel at WSIS highlighted the pivotal role of information and communication technologies in combating AMR. Discussions centered on how technology can aid in data gathering, diagnostics, surveillance, and developing innovative solutions. Key takeaways included:

• Diagnostics and Surveillance: Jean-Louis Tissier, Vice President Government and Public Affairs at bio-Mérieux, stressed the importance of diagnostics in patient management, which can reduce mortality and morbidity by ensuring the right antibiotic is used for the right patient for the appropriate duration.
• Early Detection: Ms. Latifat Okara from Economist Impact highlighted the need for robust surveillance systems to detect the early emergence of resistant bacteria, enabling targeted interventions.
• Political Will and Funding: Dr. Raghu Sriram, a scientist at the World Health Organization (WHO), spoke about the necessity of political will, funding, accountability, and clear targets to ensure the success of political declarations.

Key Insights from the Panel

1. A World Without Antibiotics: We are on the brink of entering a world without effective antibiotics, a situation that would revert medical practice to the pre-antibiotic era.
2. Need for New Antibiotics: The development of new antibiotics is critical but challenging due to poor return on investment.
3. Health Security Issue: AMR is a significant health security issue; without reliable antibiotics, essential medical treatments become highly risky.
4. Optimal Patient Management: Diagnostic information is crucial for managing patient treatment and providing cost-effective surveillance and empirical therapy support.
5. Education and National Action Plans: National Action Plans underline the importance of educating healthcare practitioners and policymakers.
6. IT Systems: Developing interoperable IT systems with phone access is imperative to facilitate communication between central and local hospital levels.

Global Call to Action

The timing of our discussion at WSIS aligns with a growing global awareness of AMR, as evidenced by its inclusion in the G7 Leaders agenda. In their statement, the G7 reiterated support for an ambitious outcome document at the UN High-Level Meeting on AMR in September 2024, emphasizing the needs of low- and middle-income countries and advocating for concrete goals and actions.

To watch the full panel discussion, click here.