The aim of the WPD was to provide an opportunity to consider the growing problem of AMR and the complexity of contributing factors. The students were asked to interrogate and critically engage with the available evidence and existing policies as well as the economic factors affecting supply and socio-cultural factors driving demand. They also considered AMR from a One Health perspective and acknowledged the ethical implications of current discourse and interventions.
The AMR themes the students were asked to study:
- Why is AMR a Wicked Problem?
- What are the data limitations in considering the burden and drivers of AMR?
- Elaborate the links between AMR and One Health and interrogate the evidence
- Outline the Policy Gaps in AMR
- What are the prevailing interventions to address AMR in the UK, Thailand and South Africa?
- What are the ethical and governance considerations for resource limited contexts with high burden of ID?
Among the subject specialists observing the presentations were Professor Elysée Nouvet, from the School of Health Studies, Western University Canada and Taniya Sharmeen, Research Scientist, Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health.
Commenting, Professor Nouvet said,
I am very happy that I could attend the AMR wicked day. I loved watching the wheels turning. In answering questions after presenting, it’s clear and inspiring to see just how deep a dive these candidates have taken on this wicked problem.”
The afternoon focused on three key aspects of AMR, and we were delighted to have IHTM alumnus, Ashish Giri, from the 2022 cohort, return to present on International Guidelines and National Action Plans for AMR. Thank you also to Taniya Sharmeen who spoke on Community Drivers of AMR and Ben Copper for his presentation on the Global Burden of AMR.
Students are honing their presentation skills in preparation for their visit to the Houses of Parliament in March where they will be presenting policy briefs to the all-party parliamentary group on Malaria and Neglected Tropical Diseases.