In this episode of the Global Health Histories podcast, Sanjoy Bhattacharya speaks to Jeremy Knox from the Wellcome Trust and Suranga Dolamulla from Sri Lanka's Ministry of Health to discuss antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Jeremy highlights his policy work on AMR, emphasising the economic impact and the need for global policy actions. Suranga shares his clinical and research experience, noting the long-standing issue of antibiotic efficacy and the broader implications of AMR beyond clinical settings.

The discussion covers the definition and historical context of AMR, its drivers such as overuse of antibiotics, and the challenges in tackling it, including complexity, cost, and stakeholder resistance. The guests stress the importance of national action plans, international collaboration, and the role of civil society in raising awareness and supporting community initiatives. They also discuss the WHO's leadership, the need for new antibiotics, rapid diagnostics, alternative therapies, and vaccination programs. The episode concludes with a call for a participatory approach involving WHO, governments, and communities to effectively manage AMR. Additional links

Centre for Global Health Histories

https://ahc.leeds.ac.uk/dir-record/research-groups/1880/centre-for-global-health-histories

WHO - Antimicrobial resistance

https://www.who.int/health-topics/antimicrobial-resistance

Wellcome Trust - Antimicrobial resistance: it's time for global action

https://wellcome.org/our-priorities/infectious-disease/antimicrobial-resistance

Sri Lanka College of Microbiologists - National Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance System in Sri Lankan https://slmicrobiology.lk/2024/05/29/national-antimicrobial-resistance-surveillance-system-in-sri-lanka/

WHO - Sri Lanka: National Strategic Plan for Combating Antimicrobial Resistance 2023-2028 https://www.who.int/publications/m/item/sri-lanka-national-strategic-plan-for-combating-antimicrobial-resistance-2023-2028