Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly, and Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue, hosted the Building One Health Action under iNAP2 conference at Farmleigh House.
The event brought together stakeholders from across the different sectors – human health, animal, plant health and the environment. This event recognises the work undertaken in Ireland’s National Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance 2017-2021 (iNAP1) and acknowledges the publication of Ireland’s second One Health National Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance 2021-2025 (iNAP2).
Minister Donnelly said, “I’m delighted to see colleagues from the human health, animal and plant health and environment sectors coming together at this important event. It’s amazing to see such commitment to this approach, and I’d like to acknowledge and thank all of the stakeholders across the sectors for both their work under iNAP1, and for their ongoing contributions under iNAP2.”
Minister McConalogue added, “as Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, I see the connection between human and animal health has inextricably linked. I am delighted to be here as part of a continued collaborative effort to address antimicrobial resistance, and look forward to other One Health collaborations for the benefit of our society.”
“Tackling AMR collectively across the sectors is critically important to achieving the best public, animal and plant health, as well as environmental outcomes. This will aid us in achieving sustainable development and further ensuring food security. This focus has never been more important considering the recent global challenges in both human and animal health such as COVID-19 and avian influenza.”
Dr Tony Holohan, Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health said, “Ireland’s One Health journey has been marked by a collaborative, productive and supportive relationship across the various sectors. This event is timely and, importantly provides a great opportunity to reconnect with our colleagues in the animal, plant health and environment sectors, and continue to build on the progress we have made to date.”
Dr Martin Blake, Chief Veterinary Officer, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine said, “this event acknowledges all of the work done under iNAP1 in tackling AMR, and the even greater ambition driving the actions contained in iNAP2. This second action plan builds on the solid foundation of the work done under iNAP1 and reflects a real collective commitment by all three sectors to further address the AMR challenge. Disease prevention and antimicrobial stewardship are both critical objectives in the context of mitigating the risk of AMR.”
Rachel Kenna, Chief Nursing Officer, Department of Health added, “I’m delighted to attend today and to acknowledge the work of all stakeholders under iNAP1, and the establishment of iNAP2. The approach, with its whole of society focus, recognises that the health and well-being of people is connected to the health and welfare of animals, biodiversity, and the environment. A focus on patient safety is at the heart of the second National Action Plan. This will allow for improved patient care through the appropriate use of antimicrobials, alongside best practice in infection prevention and control. Everybody has a role to play and iNAP2 supports this by increasing awareness, education, promoting research and emphasising quality improvement.”
The Ministers welcomed the progress achieved through the work and involvement of all the stakeholders who have made valuable contributions through their leadership on various actions across the three sectors. The Ministers also acknowledged the members of the National Interdepartmental Antimicrobial Resistance Consultative Committee for their advice and guidance in relation to the development of both action plans.
This event and the continued commitment to the approach to tackling the problem of AMR under iNAP2 is another important milestone in Ireland’s journey in combating AMR.
