https://www.linkedin.com/posts/conservezim-conservezim-402997277_zimbabwe-launches-national-action-plan-phase-activity-7298697844117372928-0T86?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_ios&rcm=ACoAAEOZZoIBX1-7rFcrw04ZfUeUPSSwOOU74oo. Zimbabwe Launches National Action Plan Phase Two to Combat Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) John Cassim The Zimbabwean government launched its second National Action Plan for Antimicrobial Resistance (NAP 2.0) 2024–2028 on Thursday. This launch comes amid reports that drug resistance complications caused 15,800 deaths in Zimbabwe in 2019. Globally, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) currently causes an estimated 700,000 deaths annually, exceeding deaths from cancer and many other non-communicable diseases. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that, if left unchecked, AMR will lead to 10 million deaths per year by 2050, reduce global GDP by approximately 3.5%, and incur cumulative costs of up to US$100 trillion annually. Zimbabwe requires US$45 million to effectively implement the second phase of its AMR National Action Plan. The Fleming Fund has provided a US$3.5 million grant as the United Kingdoms’s (UK) contribution. The UK, through the Fleming Fund, has collaborated with the Zimbabwean government and other donors to implement AMR combatting programs since 2018, guided by the One Health National Action Plan. The first phase of this multi-donor effort, totalling approximately US$13 million with the UK as a 50% funder, ended in November 2022. “Today we’re here to launch the third phase, demonstrating this long-term commitment of the AMR National Action Plan, NAP 2.0. I believe you costed it to the value of about 45 million dollars and the Fleming Fund is offering its grant worth US$ 3.5 million as the UK’s contribution to that,” said Dr. Jo Abbott, UK’s Zimbabwe Development Director. “If we fail to act now, the repercussions will be catastrophic, not only in terms of lives lost but also on the economic toll on our families and communities.  Ladies and gentlemen, I have great faith in the resilience of Zimbabweans. With the launch of the 2024-2028 National Action Plan for Antimicrobial Resistance, we are collectively sending a clear message,” stated Dr. Pius Essandoh WHO Zimbabwe Medical Officer.