Continued collaboration to tackle Antimicrobial Resistance needed

Muscat: Continued collaboration among clinicians, laboratories and policymakers is the need of the hour in order to address the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), according to an AMR Update seminar which was held recently.

Speaking to the Observer, Dr Amina al Jardani, AMR Coordinator and Consultant at the Central Public Health Laboratories (CPHL), emphasised that rapid detection and timely clinical decisions remain ‘crucial to preserving the effectiveness of life-saving antimicrobials’.

“Oman has been actively tackling Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) through high-level global conferences as AMR causes hundreds of deaths annually in Oman, with resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa being significant threats,” she said adding that national efforts focus on improving national surveillance and data sharing, as seen in recent workshops and Oman’s One Health Approach strategy involves linking human, animal, and environmental health to control resistance.

Over 120 healthcare professionals from across Oman gathered at the AMR Update 2025, a one-day scientific meeting organised by Alfarsi National Enterprises and were also given a lecture by Dr Azza al Rashdi on Oman's AMR surveillance findings and national efforts and achievements on combating AMR. While Dr Meher Rizvi of SQU spoke about advances in diagnostic technologies, Dr Wafa al Tamtami from the Medical City for Military and Security Services shared local experiences integrating rapid testing into clinical workflows. International expertise was represented by Dr Ahmad Ibrahim of NG Biotech, France, who demonstrated the role of next-generation rapid test kits in accelerating treatment decisions.

Held at the Radisson Collection Hotel, Hormuz Grand, the event brought together a wide range of specialists-including infection-control practitioners, microbiologists, clinical pathologists, academics and laboratory leaders-underscoring the rising national focus on early detection and stronger antimicrobial stewardship.

The conference, themed ‘Detect Early, Treat Early,’ featured presentations from leading experts on national AMR trends, breakthroughs in rapid diagnostics, and practical strategies to reinforce surveillance programmes. Sessions also covered the detection of critical resistance mechanisms such as ESBL, MCR-1 and carbapenemase production, along with discussions on Candida auris, an emerging pathogen of growing concern.

Speaking on the sidelines of the event, Saju George, Managing Director of Alfarsi National Enterprises, said the strong turnout reflects Oman's growing commitment to addressing AMR through innovation, education and cross-sector collaboration. 'Our goal is to bring global expertise to Oman and equip local teams with the knowledge and tools required to detect resistance early and respond with confidence,' he said.

With antimicrobial resistance recognised worldwide as one of the most urgent public health threats, the event marked another step forward in supporting national efforts to preserve antibiotic effectiveness and improve patient outcomes.

A hands-on workshop on rapid AMR detection offered attendees practical exposure to point-of-care tools and interpretation methods, a session that drew strong engagement from laboratory professionals and clinicians alike.