Sweden’s ambassador for work against antimicrobial resistance
Published
In 2022, Malin Grape was appointed as Sweden’s first AMR Ambassador to further strengthen global efforts against antimicrobial resistance.
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a major threat to global health security. It reportedly leads to more than one million deaths each year. AMR, and particularly the work on antibiotic resistance, is complex. It requires cross-sectoral cooperation in areas such as human health, animal health and the environment. This requires national and international cooperation and long-term commitment. The work involves stopping infections that may require antibiotics and preventing the spread of resistant bacterial strains.
“It is very important to work on what the WHO considers to be one of the greatest global threats to human health. It’s an issue that concerns us all and one we must work on at international level to have an impact,” says Ms Grape.
Ms Grape leads the Ministry of Health and Social Affairs’ work on AMR. She represents Sweden and contributes expertise in EU work and in international forums such as the WHO.
Prior to her appointment as Swedish AMR Ambassador, Ms Grape was head of the Public Health Agency of Sweden’s Unit for Antibiotics and Infection Control. She has long worked on these issues, nationally and internationally. For example, Ms Grape was responsible for the Public Health Agency’s work to build and develop the WHO’s Global Antimicrobial Resistance and Use Surveillance System (GLASS). She also worked on the European Joint Action on Antimicrobial Resistance and Healthcare-Associated Infections (JAMRAI) project.
Swedish work on AMR and antibiotic resistance
Sweden has long worked on AMR – in the EU and internationally. In 2014, Sweden and the United Kingdom co-drafted an AMR resolution in the WHO. Together with the UK, Sweden co-founded the Ministerial Alliance of Champions against Antimicrobial Resistance. Other members include the United States, France, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China and South Africa.
Ms Grape holds a MSc in Pharmacy and has a background in research. Her doctoral thesis focused on antibiotic resistance. She has worked on antimicrobial resistance nationally and internationally.
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