Global Antimicrobial Resistance Research and Development Hub

News:India has joined the Global Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Research and Development (R&D) Hub as a new member.

Facts:

About the Hub:

• The Global research and development hub on antimicrobial resistance was launched in May 2018 on the sidelines of the 71st session of the World Health Assembly.
• The hub consists of 16 members nations.It also has the European Commission, two philanthropic foundations as members and four international organisations as observers.
• The hub supports global priority setting and evidence-based decision making on the allocation of resources for AMR R&D through the identification of gaps, overlaps and potential for cross-sectoral collaboration and leveraging in AMR R&D.
• The operations of the hub are supported through a Secretariat, which is established in Berlin, Germany. 
• The Hub is currently financed through grants from the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) and the Federal Ministry of Health (BMG).

How will India benefit from the Hub?

• By partnering with the Global AMR R&D Hub,India can work with all partners to leverage their existing capabilities, resources and collectively focus on new R&D intervention to address drug-resistant infections.

Additional information:

About antimicrobial resistance: 

• Antimicrobial resistance is the ability of a microorganism like bacteria, fungi, viruses, and parasites to stop an antimicrobial such as antibiotics, antifungals, antivirals and antimalarial from working against it.
• The World Health Organization(WHO) recognises AMR as a serious threat to global public health.