Topic: Rise of Antibiotic Resistant Pathogens
Country: Denmark
Delegate Name: Garrett Pierman
School: Mattawan High School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All Denmark position papers GLIMUN 2010 committees
Denmark, as a developed nation, is greatly concerned with the rise of Antibiotic Resistant Pathogens. This is an issue which all countries must be concerned, but those in the EU, as well as the USA have much at stake with the use of antibiotics, as developed nations with advanced medical systems which make heavy use of such drugs, in addition to their use as growth promoters in animal farming.To address the issue at hand, which, as Denmark sees it, is mainly about slowing the rate at which pathogens become resistant, recommends the following. In agreement with WHO/CDS/CSR/DRS/2001.10:
The rate at which pathogens are becoming resistant should me closely monitored at the local, national, and global levels. The only way in which the WHO can hope to being to make any real impact is to start out with reliable, quantifiable data.
With the goal of slowing, as much as possible, Denmark strongly suggests to all nations a program of education of the following groups:
Healthcare workers: to avoid the use of antibiotics when not absolutely necessary, such as in the treatments of colds. To limit the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics as much as possible. To use microbiological cultures in the diagnosis of patients as much as possible. To isolate patients ill with resistant strains of pathogens. Promote "good" bacteria through direct education of patients and healthcare workers.
National/ municipal governments: To regulate the use of antibiotics in livestock. To increase awareness of the issue of antibiotic resistance within the general public. To set standards regarding the use of antibiotics in general.
Veterinarians/farmers: To limit the use of antibiotics as growth promoters in animals, as the resistances may transfer to humans as well. Encourage better livestock hygiene, to prevent infection by pathogens from occurring in the first place.
Denmark strongly encourages the moderate use of antibiotics only when necessary, and in those cases, to use more targeted antibiotics instead of broad spectrum, to, at the very least, reduce the rate at which pathogens become resistant. Denmark recognizes that, as a developed nation with easy access to antibiotics, more developed nations must lead the way for others in this issue, as we (developed nations) use, by far, the vast majority of antibiotics. Through good data, and comprehensive education, Denmark hopes to slow the resistance of pathogens, and would support any resolution including as its primary features, education and data collection, as well as funding for such programs.
