Implementing a National Action Plan to Combat AMR in Pakistan With Afreenish Amir
From Meet the Microbiologist by Ashley Hagen, M.S.
May 9, 2025 · 38 min · Episode 164
About this episode
Afreenish Amir discusses the implementation of a National Action Plan to combat antimicrobial resistance in Pakistan, highlighting local factors and the importance of rational antimicrobial use.
Episode Summary Afreenish Amir, Ph.D. , Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Project Director at the National Institute of Health in Pakistan, highlights significant increases in extensively drug-resistant typhoid and cholera cases in Pakistan and discusses local factors driving AMR in Asia. She describes the development and implementation of a National Action Plan to combat AMR in a developing country, emphasizing the importance of rational antimicrobial use, surveillance and infection control practice. Ashley's Biggest Takeaways AMR is a global and One Health issue. Pakistan has a huge disease burden of AMR. Contributing factors include, but are not limited to, overcrowding, lack of infection control practices, poor waste management practices and over-the-counter prescription practices. Promoting the rational use of antimicrobials is imperative at all levels—from tertiary care to primary care practitioners. Typhoid and cholera are high-burden infections in Pakistan, with typhoid being a year-round issue and cholera being seasonal. A holistic approach, involving various sectors and disciplines, is necessary in order to address the global AMR threat. Amir highlights the need for better…
People in this episode
Guest: Afreenish Amir Ph D
Topics covered
- Antimicrobial Resistance
- Public Health
- National Action Plan
- Infection Control
Keywords
- AMR
- typhoid
- cholera
- Pakistan
- healthcare
Mentioned in this episode
Places: Pakistan, Asia, Afghanistan, India, Bangladesh, China
More episodes of Meet the Microbiologist
- Diagnostics in Action: Telling Microbial Stories · April 17, 2026 · 44 min
- Decoding the Pneumococcal Capsule With Moon Nahm · March 28, 2026 · 42 min
- From Earth to Orbit: Applied and Environmental Microbiology With Veronica Garcia · February 13, 2026 · 36 min
- Unraveling Introns and Expectations With Marlene Belfort, Ph.D. · January 24, 2026 · 46 min
- The Gut Healing Power of Microbes and Cruciferous Vegetables · October 24, 2025 · 43 min
- Preventing Foodborne Pathogens With Plant-Derived Compounds with Karl Matthews · September 25, 2025 · 59 min
Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Meet the Microbiologist podcast page.