Statement van minister Edith Schippers van Volksgezondheid, Welzijn en Sport bij de High Level Meeting van de Algemene Vergadering van de Verenigde Naties
Statement van minister Edith Schippers van Volksgezondheid, Welzijn en Sport bij de High Level Meeting van de Algemene Vergadering van de Verenigde Naties op 21 September 2016 in New York. (De tekst is alleen in het Engels beschikbaar)
Ladies and gentlemen,
Some of our nations are considered poor, others rich. Some developed, others developing. In some countries people don’t have access to antibiotics. While in others people can buy them over the counter. We are from very different nations. Yet, we all face a challenge that does not discriminate between poor or rich, developed or developing.
Antibiotic resistance is growing fast. And it is affecting all of us. Not just those suffering from HIV, but also patients with a simple bladder infection. Antibiotic resistance is wiping out our possibilities to cure. And it has only just begun.
To deal with a threat of this magnitude we must withstand our habitual response. Those reflexes generated by differences: north versus south; east versus west; rich versus poor.
Unfortunately, I still hear arguments like: 'We cannot address over the counter sales of antibiotics'. Or: 'It seems to be harming our economic interests’.
Merely excuses reflecting our traditional response. Reflecting fear. Ignoring the fact that antibiotic resistance is threatening healthcare as we know it AND has a serious social and economic impact.
AMR is transboundary: It's a global challenge, demanding a global response.
Our declaration is a first step.
We must activate our governments, our scientists, our private sector AND our people. Involve healthcare, farming, food, and the environment; The one health approach.
It is crucial we ban antibiotics as growth promoters in farming, preserve our last resort antibiotics for people only and stop over the counter sales. Also, we need clear targets. 'What gets measured, gets done'.
The Netherlands is the second largest exporter of agricultural products in the world. We managed to reduce the use of antibiotics in animals by
fifty-eight percent and we still maintain market position. The key was: Setting targets and monitoring progress. The key was to not respond the way we usually would.
So, how will we turn our words into meaningful deeds?
The answer, ladies and gentlemen, is courage.
The courage to move beyond the politics.
The courage to find new effective responses fit for our purpose.
The courage to focus on what’s really at stake: people’s lives.