By Simon Asare, GNA
Accra, Nov. 21, GNA - Gary Cohen, President of the Becton Dickinson (BD) foundation, has said that, tackling the issues and creating awareness of Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) remains a top priority for the company, especially in developing countries.
Antimicrobial resistance can be described as the ability of microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, viruses and protozoa to nullify the effects of antimicrobial drugs resulting in the drugs becoming ineffective, and BD, one of the largest global medical technologies company, have made it a priority in addressing pertinent issues regarding AMR.
According to Cohen, who doubles as Executive Vice President of Global Health, BD possess the important capabilities that would prove crucial in curtailing the spread of infection in health care facilities, diagnostic system, test and diagnose infections among others.
“The AMR is not a new problem, it has been around since the beginning of antibiotics, but the thing is that, it’s getting out of control and if antibiotics are not working, it threatens the most fundamental aspect of healthcare.
“We have been doing a lot to strengthen the laboratory capacity in Sub-Saharan Africa over the past 11 years with the primary focus on HIV and TB but now we are extending the focus on the testing of AMR,’’ Cohen said.
Cohen said there was the need to strengthen the capacities of the hospitals to undertake a proper diagnosis testing, skills development as well as creating awareness.
“We’re currently focused on investing in health care professionals and capacity building, which is important and the creation of the awareness through the media will also be crucial in tackling AMR,’’ he noted.
The BD, in collaboration with Hope Exchange, a health care NGO, and the Ministry of Health will be inaugurating a 70-bed hospital project in Kumasi on November 23, 2018.
Meanwhile, a two-day stakeholders conference dubbed ‘’Call to Action on Antimicrobial Resistance’’ was organised by Government of Ghana, United Kingdom, Thailand and the United Nations Foundational Welcome Trust on November 19, 2018, to address ways of combatting the spread of AMR.
GNA
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