Strengthening global health security through antimicrobial resistance control: Insights from Saudi Arabia

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a significant threat to global health security, and Saudi Arabia plays a key role in addressing this challenge. This review highlights Saudi Arabia’s National Action Plan, which focuses on improving data collection, monitoring AMR trends, and promoting the respon...

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Main Authors: Haytham A. Sheerah, Abdullah R. Algwizani, Riyad Q. Alghamdi, Emad L. Almohammadi, Ada M. Al-Qunaibe, Hebah M. Dada, Homoud S. Algarni, Safaa M. Tunkar, Asmaa M. Altamimi, Yasir S. Almuzaini, Duncan Selbie
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-07-01
Series:Journal of Infection and Public Health
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1876034125001376
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author Haytham A. Sheerah
Abdullah R. Algwizani
Riyad Q. Alghamdi
Emad L. Almohammadi
Ada M. Al-Qunaibe
Hebah M. Dada
Homoud S. Algarni
Safaa M. Tunkar
Asmaa M. Altamimi
Yasir S. Almuzaini
Duncan Selbie
author_facet Haytham A. Sheerah
Abdullah R. Algwizani
Riyad Q. Alghamdi
Emad L. Almohammadi
Ada M. Al-Qunaibe
Hebah M. Dada
Homoud S. Algarni
Safaa M. Tunkar
Asmaa M. Altamimi
Yasir S. Almuzaini
Duncan Selbie
author_sort Haytham A. Sheerah
collection DOAJ
description Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a significant threat to global health security, and Saudi Arabia plays a key role in addressing this challenge. This review highlights Saudi Arabia’s National Action Plan, which focuses on improving data collection, monitoring AMR trends, and promoting the responsible use of antimicrobials in human and veterinary medicine. While the Kingdom has shown leadership in regional AMR control efforts, recent data indicate rising resistance rates among key pathogens, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae, posing a growing public health concern. Additionally, gaps in AMR surveillance persist, particularly in rural and underserved regions, limiting comprehensive resistance tracking. Efforts to address AMR have included nationwide antibiotic stewardship programs, legal reforms restricting over-the-counter antibiotic sales, and enhanced public awareness campaigns, but challenges remain in ensuring sustained implementation and compliance across all healthcare and agricultural sectors. Strengthening surveillance systems, increasing public awareness, and fostering international collaborations are crucial to managing AMR within Saudi Arabia and mitigating its global impact.
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spelling doaj-art-95a4eba344334335b7fb2f1d3fa386192025-08-20T01:49:04ZengElsevierJournal of Infection and Public Health1876-03412025-07-0118710278810.1016/j.jiph.2025.102788Strengthening global health security through antimicrobial resistance control: Insights from Saudi ArabiaHaytham A. Sheerah0Abdullah R. Algwizani1Riyad Q. Alghamdi2Emad L. Almohammadi3Ada M. Al-Qunaibe4Hebah M. Dada5Homoud S. Algarni6Safaa M. Tunkar7Asmaa M. Altamimi8Yasir S. Almuzaini9Duncan Selbie10The Advisory Office, Ministry of Health, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; Corresponding author.Chief Executive Office, Public Health Authority, Riyadh, Saudi ArabiaDeputy Chief Executive Office, Public Health Authority, Riyadh, Saudi ArabiaChief Office of Communicable Diseases Control Sector, Public Health Authority, Riyadh, Saudi ArabiaChief Office of Public Health Intelligence Sector, Public Health Authority, Riyadh, Saudi ArabiaAntimicrobial Resistance Unit, Public Health Authority, Riyadh, Saudi ArabiaGlobal Health Department, Public Health Authority, Riyadh, Saudi ArabiaGlobal Health Department, Public Health Authority, Riyadh, Saudi ArabiaPublic Health Lab, Public Health Authority, Riyadh, Saudi ArabiaHealthy Environments and Communities Unit, Public Health Authority, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; Department of Public Health, College of Public Health, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Saudi ArabiaChief Executive Office, Public Health Authority, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; International Association of National Public Health Institutes, Santé publique France, FranceAntimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a significant threat to global health security, and Saudi Arabia plays a key role in addressing this challenge. This review highlights Saudi Arabia’s National Action Plan, which focuses on improving data collection, monitoring AMR trends, and promoting the responsible use of antimicrobials in human and veterinary medicine. While the Kingdom has shown leadership in regional AMR control efforts, recent data indicate rising resistance rates among key pathogens, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae, posing a growing public health concern. Additionally, gaps in AMR surveillance persist, particularly in rural and underserved regions, limiting comprehensive resistance tracking. Efforts to address AMR have included nationwide antibiotic stewardship programs, legal reforms restricting over-the-counter antibiotic sales, and enhanced public awareness campaigns, but challenges remain in ensuring sustained implementation and compliance across all healthcare and agricultural sectors. Strengthening surveillance systems, increasing public awareness, and fostering international collaborations are crucial to managing AMR within Saudi Arabia and mitigating its global impact.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1876034125001376Antimicrobial resistanceGlobal health securitySaudi ArabiaInfection controlPublic health policy
spellingShingle Haytham A. Sheerah
Abdullah R. Algwizani
Riyad Q. Alghamdi
Emad L. Almohammadi
Ada M. Al-Qunaibe
Hebah M. Dada
Homoud S. Algarni
Safaa M. Tunkar
Asmaa M. Altamimi
Yasir S. Almuzaini
Duncan Selbie
Strengthening global health security through antimicrobial resistance control: Insights from Saudi Arabia
Journal of Infection and Public Health
Antimicrobial resistance
Global health security
Saudi Arabia
Infection control
Public health policy
title Strengthening global health security through antimicrobial resistance control: Insights from Saudi Arabia
title_full Strengthening global health security through antimicrobial resistance control: Insights from Saudi Arabia
title_fullStr Strengthening global health security through antimicrobial resistance control: Insights from Saudi Arabia
title_full_unstemmed Strengthening global health security through antimicrobial resistance control: Insights from Saudi Arabia
title_short Strengthening global health security through antimicrobial resistance control: Insights from Saudi Arabia
title_sort strengthening global health security through antimicrobial resistance control insights from saudi arabia
topic Antimicrobial resistance
Global health security
Saudi Arabia
Infection control
Public health policy
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1876034125001376
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