AsianScientist (Oct. 20, 2017) – The UK’s Academy of Medical Sciences has announced a scheme to build stronger research links between the UK and India to jointly address the challenge of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The scheme is supported by a pledge of £450,000 (~US$593,000) from The Yusuf and Farida Hamied Foundation.
Worldwide, at least 700,000 people die every year of drug resistant infections in diseases such as tuberculosis, malaria and HIV/AIDS. It is predicted that by 2050, the number of deaths related to AMR will increase to ten million people a year, making even routine minor surgery a serious risk.
“Antimicrobial resistance is undoubtedly one of the most critical health challenges of our time. It is a threat that knows no borders so joint international efforts are the best way to tackle this issue,” said Professor Sir Robert Lechler, President of the UK’s Academy of Medical Sciences.
The ‘Yusuf Hamied-Academy of Medical Sciences UK India Exchange Program on AMR’ was initiated by Professor Dame Sally Davies, Chief Medical Officer for England. It will focus on all aspects of AMR, including prevention and control of infection, environmental and veterinary science.
Over five years, the scheme will support 25 visiting professorships between India and the UK and two major international scientific meetings on AMR, one in the UK and one in India. This will strengthen UK-India links to share knowledge, foster research collaborations and increase awareness, which will deliver the ultimate goal of developing robust interventions to tackle AMR across the world.
This new scheme will also be announced at the ‘Call to Action’ event in Berlin, organized by the Wellcome Trust, in partnership with the UK, Thai and Ghanaian governments, and the United Nations Foundation.
“I am delighted to support this UK-India scheme initiated by Dame Sally Davies and the Academy of Medical Sciences,” said Dr. Yusuf Hamied, Trustee of the Yusuf and Farida Hamied Foundation.
“The incidence of AMR in India is alarming and has to be aggressively controlled. This scheme will certainly help and facilitate what is required to control AMR. Indian doctors, patients and the population will all benefit from this,” he added.
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Source: Academy of Medical Sciences; Photo: Shutterstock.
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