In the context of the strategic partnership between Argentina and the Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO), the first stage of the triangular project for the strengthening of the detection and surveillance of antimicrobial resistance in the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) concluded today.
For three weeks, training sessions in health centres and national laboratories of Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica were held by Argentine experts from the Antimicrobials Service of the Dr. Carlos Malbrán National Administration of Health Laboratories and Institutions (ANLIS Malbrán) and the National Service of Agri-food Health and Quality (SENASA). The launch of the initiative was held in the Best-Dos Santos National Laboratory of Bridgetown, and was attended by the Barbadian Minister of Health, Dr. Jeffrey Bostic.
Since its discovery, antimicrobials have been a cornerstone of modern medicine. However, their constant abuse and misuse in humans and animals has led to the appearance and spread of antimicrobial resistance, which takes place when bacteria, fungi, viruses and parasites become resistant to the drugs used to treat them.
During the following two years, the Argentina-PAHO-CARICOM triangular cooperation initiative will allow Argentine professionals to train colleagues from fourteen Caribbean countries in relation to advanced techniques and proceedings used in Argentina to detect, oversee and prevent antimicrobial resistance. This makes the project one of the most ambitious international cooperation efforts that Argentina has undertaken in the English-speaking Caribbean. The next stage will take place in Guyana and Suriname in September.