Parliamentarians play a crucial role in shaping global health diplomacy, particularly in addressing the pressing issue of AMR. By fostering dialogue with political leaders and supporting government efforts, they can help prioritize AMR on national agendas.
Engaging in global health forums allows parliamentarians to elevate discussions, secure commitments from governments and stakeholders, and promote cross-sectoral collaborations across health, agriculture, and environmental sectors. Additionally, they can ensure that AMR is integrated into broader health and development strategies, emphasizing a One Health approach.
“As policymakers, we stand on the frontlines of this challenge, and the actions we take or fail to take will have a profound impact on the future of healthcare and public health at large.” – Dr Christopher Kalila, Zambian Member of Parliament and Chair of the parliamentarians committee on health.
Roles of Parliamentarians in addressing AMR
- Elevate the discourse with colleagues in-country, political leadership, and support the administration on the need to prioritize AMR.
- Understand the AMR situation in your country, including progress made and areas for improvement.
- Leverage global health forums to elevate conversations on AMR and encourage commitments from governments, funding agencies, and industry.
- Promote cross-sectoral partnerships between health, agriculture, and the environment to tackle AMR using a One Health approach.
- Advocate for the inclusion of AMR in broader health and development agendas, ensuring alignment with SDGs.
- Explore ways to coordinate and collaborate with the Global Leaders Group on AMR to amplify efforts.