AMR poses a major and rapidly growing threat to public health globally. The overuse and misuse of antimicrobials impacts the effectiveness and sustainability of modern medicine against the enduring threat of infectious diseases.

One of 30 designated AMR Collaborating Centres worldwide, the Doherty Institute will work to reduce the impact of AMR by advancing the implementation of AMR National Action Plans and the Framework for Accelerating Action to Fight Antimicrobial Resistance in the Western Pacific Region.

Working closely with WHO Member States, the WHO Collaborating Centre for Antimicrobial Resistance will provide technical guidance and capacity building for laboratory detection, diagnosis and surveillance of AMR, optimisation of the use of antimicrobials, and prevention of AMR through infection control practices.

University of Melbourne’s Professor Ben Howden and Professor Kirsty Buising have been appointed Co-Directors of the newly designated Collaborating Centre.

“The Doherty Institute has a large cross disciplinary AMR program, including expertise in laboratory detection and surveillance of AMR and antimicrobial stewardship training, that will be drawn upon by the WHO Collaborating Centre for Antimicrobial Resistance,” Professor Howden said.

“Using a One Health approach, the WHO Collaborating Centre for Antimicrobial Resistance will partner with Member States to tackle identified health system weaknesses and build upon existing capacity,” Professor Buising said.

AMR is being referred to as the ‘invisible pandemic’, with the increasing spread becoming more apparent globally. WHO recently declared AMR as one of the top 10 global health issues needing attention.

“The WHO Collaborating Centre for Antimicrobial Resistance will support WHO Western Pacific (WPRO) to implement the Framework for Accelerating Action to Fight Antimicrobial Resistance in the Western Pacific Region,” said Dr Takeshi Nishijima, Technical Officer, Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), WPRO.

“Their work will contribute to avert the impart of AMR, which is one of the thematic priorities for WPRO and a huge threat to public health.”

Visit the WHO Collaborating Centre for Antimicrobial Resistance website for further information.