Manama:The Kingdom of Bahrain hosted the fourth edition of the International Conference on Antimicrobial Resistance and Infectious Diseases, focusing on strengthening health security and addressing antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
According to Ministry of Health - Bahrain, the Sub-Committee on Antimicrobial Resistance participated in the event, which took place from September 24 to 25, and included a panel discussion reviewing the latest developments in AMR. Experts from Bahrain, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, and other regional nations contributed to the discussions.
The panel addressed strategic areas such as the impact of effective interventions on reducing AMR, the role of governance in supporting antimicrobial stewardship, and the development of specialized health professionals. The use of data, digital technologies, and artificial intelligence to aid decision-making was also highlighted.
Participants stressed the importance of expanding antimicrobial stewardship policies, strengthening training programs, and involving various medical disciplines to support national initiatives against AMR. National practices that demonstrated effectiveness were presented, alongside challenges in implementing policies at healthcare institutions.
The conference concluded with a call to strengthen regional cooperation and develop sustainable national programs, aiming to enhance patient safety, preserve the effectiveness of antimicrobials, and support a resilient health system to tackle global health challenges.