Tanzania is stepping up efforts to contain antimicrobial resistance (AMR), a growing health threat that can leave commonly used medicines unable to effectively treat infections.
The warning comes as the Ministry of Health, working with the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries, Amref Tanzania and other stakeholders, holds the 33rd meeting of the National Multisectoral Coordinating Committee on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR-MCC) in Dar es Salaam.
The meeting, held on Thursday, October 1, is reviewing and coordinating measures being implemented to prevent and control antimicrobial resistance in the country.
AMR occurs when microorganisms become resistant to medicines that are normally used to treat infections, making treatment more difficult and, in some cases, leaving patients with fewer effective options.
For patients, the problem can mean longer treatment, higher medical costs and increased risks when infections fail to respond to medicines.
The challenge is not confined to hospitals and health facilities. Resistant microorganisms can emerge and spread among people, animals and through the environment, making cooperation between different sectors necessary.
This is why the government is bringing together health, livestock, fisheries and other stakeholders under a multisectoral approach to address the problem.
The AMR-MCC meeting is expected to assess progress in implementing interventions, identify gaps and strengthen coordination among institutions involved in the national response.
The broader objective is to preserve the effectiveness of medicines and ensure that patients can continue to rely on them when they need treatment for infections.
Antimicrobial medicines are important not only in treating infections but also in supporting routine healthcare, including surgery and other procedures where effective infection control and treatment are essential.
When medicines become ineffective, healthcare systems can face additional pressure as patients may require alternative treatments, longer periods of care or more expensive medicines.
The government and its partners are therefore focusing on measures to prevent infections and promote responsible use of antimicrobial medicines.
The multisectoral approach also reflects the One Health principle, which recognises the close links between human, animal and environmental health.
Experts have increasingly stressed that controlling antimicrobial resistance requires action across these areas because resistant organisms can move between people, animals, food systems and the environment.
The Dar es Salaam meeting provides a platform for government institutions and development partners to assess the country's response and agree on areas requiring stronger action.
For Tanzania, the challenge is to ensure that efforts to control AMR translate into practical measures that protect patients, strengthen healthcare delivery and preserve the effectiveness of medicines for future generations.
As the country continues implementing its response, stronger coordination among sectors will remain critical to preventing drug resistance from undermining the treatment of infections and increasing the burden on patients and the health system.