WFME Head of Office, Siobhan Fitzpatrick, joined the WHO Expert Consultation on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) at the World Health Organization (WHO) Headquarters in Geneva. Around thirty experts in AMR from across the six WHO regions and the range of health professional groups, contributed their advice and learning to develop a standardised approach to pre-service and in-service health workforce education and training needs, and possible dissemination tools.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is the ability of a microorganism (like bacteria, viruses, and some parasites) to stop an antimicrobial (such as antibiotics, antivirals and antimalarials) from working against it. As a result, standard treatments become ineffective, infections persist and may spread to others. AMR is a major global health concern. The first objective of the WHO global action plan on antimicrobial resistance control (GAP AMR) aims to improve awareness and understanding of antimicrobial resistance through effective communication, education and training. This is part of meeting the global strategy on Human Resources for health: Workforce 2030.