KARACHI - The World Health Organisation (WHO) has asked the countries to implement infection control measures and counter antimicrobial resistant bacteria.
WHO has identified Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) as a growing, global public health problem, said a communication received here on Friday.
The members of the world community have also been asked to reinforce national policy on prudent use of antibiotics, reducing the generation of antibiotic resistant bacteria.
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) - the ability of micro-organisms to find ways to evade the action of the drugs used to cure the infections they cause - is increasingly recognised as a global public health issue which could hamper the control of many infectious diseases.
Some bacteria have developed mechanisms which render them resistant to many of the antibiotics normally used for their treatment (multi-drug resistant bacteria).
These pose particular difficulties, as there may be few or no alternative options for therapy. 
While multi-drug resistant bacteria are not new and will continue to appear, AMR, however, required monitoring and further study to understand the extent and modes of transmission, and to define the most effective measures for control.
WHO has strongly recommended that governments focus control and prevention efforts in surveillance for antimicrobial resistance; rational antibiotic use, including education of healthcare workers and the public in the appropriate use of antibiotics.
It also expects national governments to introduce and enforce legislation related to stopping the sale of antibiotics without prescription and strict adherence to infection prevention and control measures, including the use of hand-washing measures, particularly in healthcare facilities.
Successful control of multi-drug-resistant microorganisms has been documented in many countries, and the existing and well-known infection prevention and control measures can effectively reduce transmission of multi-drug resistant organisms if rigorously and systematically implemented.
PAKISTAN TO BENEFIT FROM CHINESE ADVANCEMENT IN HEALTH SECTOR: Pakistan would benefit from the Chinese advancement in the realms of health. This was stated by the Governor of Sindh Dr Ishratul Ebad Khan when a seven-member Chinese delegation of ophthalmologists led by Wang Jun, Deputy Director General of Chinese National Committee of Blindness Prevention, called on him at the Governor House here, says a statement on Friday.
The governor said that he would like to benefit from the Chinese doctors’ experiences and modern technology in the health sector. He also praised the assistance extended by China in various fields.
He termed the friendship between Pakistan and China as exemplary and that it is strengthening further with the passage of time. He also thanked China for extending assistance and relief and rehabilitation during the floods.
The governor appreciated that the Chinese medical team performed 504 successful operations of cataract and other eye ailments and of these 203 were in Karachi.
The delegation apprised the Governor about the cataract operation the team conducted.