Government of Canada continues to invest in research to address global health threat of antimicrobial resistance

by pmnationtalk on March 16, 2018282 Views

$300,000 investment will enable closer collaboration between key players studying AMR and infectious diseases

March 16, 2018 – Fredericton, New Brunswick – Canadian Institutes of Health Research

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites change so that drugs that were previously effective against them stop working. Left unchecked, the rise of AMR has the potential to undermine health care providers’ ability to control infections such as pneumonia and tuberculosis and to provide medical procedures such as C-sections and chemotherapy.

Researchers can have the biggest impact if they are well connected and work together to tackle a health threat like AMR. To help make this a reality, the Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Health, today announced an investment of $300,000 to support three projects focused on improving our understanding of how key players in Canada and internationally can be better connected and work together collaboratively to tackle AMR.

This funding will support three research teams located at the University of New Brunswick, the Université de Sherbrooke, and the University of Ottawa.

For example, Dr. Suzanne Hindmarch, Dr. Malcolm King and their majority-Indigenous research team will consult with Indigenous organizations in Canada to learn about their perspectives on AMR. Dr. King and Dr. Hindmarch’s team will examine the extent to which Indigenous organizations see AMR as a health challenge in their communities and how Indigenous organizations have, and would like to be, involved in the Canadian and international groups and networks that are working to address AMR.

Quotes

“Our government is proud to support the work done by our researchers. The contribution announced today will help us tackle antimicrobial resistance and will support Canadian researchers who will collaborate with international colleagues as part of the global response to AMR.”

Ginette Petitpas Taylor
Minister of Health

“The investment announced today is critically important because it is putting some of Canada’s brightest minds to work, in order to stimulate new scientific knowledge about AMR for the benefit of all Canadians. AMR is one of the biggest threats to global public health, food safety, and development today, and it is important to remember that anyone, of any age, in any country can be affected.”

Dr. Steven Hoffman
Scientific Director, CIHR Institute of Population and Public Health

“Mitigating the impacts of antimicrobial resistance is one of my top priorities for protecting the health of Canadians. We must not underestimate the public health impact of AMR. This investment in global collaboration will advance research and innovation to help us avoid a future in which now treatable infections could once again be deadly.”

Dr. Theresa Tam
Canada’s Chief Public Health Officer

“UNB is proud to play a role in addressing this important health concern. This investment will help Dr. Hindmarch, Dr.King and their talented team of researchers expand the networks of understanding around antimicrobial research to include Indigenous perspectives and knowledge and help find solutions that will benefit all Canadians.”

Dr. Eddy Campbell
President of the University of New Brunswick

Government of Canada continues to invest in research to address global health threat of antimicrobial resistance

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