The Director of Pacific Technical Support and World Health Organisation Representative to the South Pacific: Dr Liu Yunguo;

Representatives from government ministries and private agencies;

Key partners and stakeholders;

Good Morning and warm welcome to you all.

Antimicrobials are agents used to kill micro-organisms that cause infections in human and animal health.

We all know about some of the famous inventors such as Alexander Fleming.

With a stroke of luck he first discovered penicillins as one of the most effective antibiotic in the past.

However, these same penicillins have already shown resistance all over the world.

Do we have to worry about antibiotic resistance?

With that in mind, current studies and evidence have shown that
• First: bacteria, virus and fungus have developed resistance against antimicrobials;
• Second: new generations of anti-microbial are getting more expensive; and
• Third: researchers or scientists are running out of ideas in developing new antimicrobials.

Our world is going towards post antibiotic era where no antibiotic can cure simple infection such as boil, tonsillitis and others.

To counter the impact of antimicrobial resistance or AMR, the World Health Assembly urged member states to develop National AMR Plan before May 2017. Fiji has taken the step further with the development of its National AMR plan in 2015. Furthermore the establishment of the National AMR committee is to ensure that the plan is EXECUTED and the objectives achieved.

This is the reason we’re here this morning to officially launch the Fiji National AMR Action Plan.

This plan will provide the pathway for Fiji to protect the public from the threat of AMR.

I would like to publicly give my appreciation to the government of Fiji for supporting this very important program. The Cabinet of Fiji has endorsed the adoption of the National Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Action plan and endorsed the formation of a multi-sectoral National Antimicrobial Resistance Committee.

This is an indication of the political will from the people of Fiji in taking this subject at hand very seriously.

The National Action Plan we’re going to launch this morning will provide comprehensive strategic directions for the country on how we’re going to combat AMR.

I always said this often that ‘health is not only the business of Ministry of Health and Medical Services but of everyone’.
I am glad that the National Plan has fulfill my wish and that is a multi-stakeholder committee which consists of the Ministry of Agriculture, Education, Department of Environment, Ministry of Fisheries and Forestry, Private Sector, Consumer Council, Customs, Bio-Security and Academia will oversee the implementation of the AMR program.

This is the plan for the next 3 years therefore I invite all technical and funding partners to support Fiji’s commitment to combat AMR.
Your contributions will add value to the progress and effective implementation of this plan.

I am also happy to announce that the Ministry of Health and Medical Services mark this launch to coincide with the world “ANTIBIOTIC AWARENESS WEEK”.

The goal of the Antibiotic Awareness Week is to raise awareness about antibiotic resistance and change behaviours to improve the responsible use of antibiotics.

This is the first Antibiotic Awareness Week initiated by the World Health Organization.

The theme for this year’s Antibiotic Awareness Week is “Handling with Care”

It serves as a reminder not only to the public but also to health professionals, users of Antibiotics in Industry and policy makers.
For the public there are three basic rules of handling antibiotics:
• One: Always take the full prescription, even if you feel better;
• Two: Never share or use leftover antibiotics; and
• Three: Never buy antibiotics without the prescriptions.
To conclude, as saying goes “It's never too late. Don't focus on what was taken away. Find something to replace it, and acknowledge the blessing you have”

Fiji has been blessed with the development of this National Action Plan and this has been possible through the technical assistance of the World Health Organisation for which we are grateful– thank you Dr. Liu Yunguo.

I thank you all for your attendance this morning and we all look forward to continuous collaboration and team work.

Vinaka vakalevu.