Monaco helps combat deadly disease in newborns

The Global Antibiotic Research and Development Assembly (GARDP) announced this week the contribution made on behalf of the government of Monaco to back their programme to keep sepsis in check in South African newborns, at the 72nd World Health Assembly in Geneva.

 

© Kaya Bulbul / GARDP – Carole Lanteri, Ambassador , Permanent Representative to the United Nations Office at Geneva, and Dr. Manica Balasegaram, Executive Director of the Global Antibiotic Research and Development Partnership (GARDP).

The funding will assist with the advancement of new antibiotic treatments as well as helping to create a database to improve overall medical care and, specifically, the effectiveness of antibiotics in the care of newborns and children. South Africa will be the testing ground and their findings will be used to improve treatments globally.

“Monaco is delighted to be part of the concert of countries supporting this GARDP initiative,” said Bénédicte Schutz, Director of International Cooperation of the Prince’s Government.

Communicable disease is the main cause of infant and child mortality and disability worldwide. Of the total, upward of 50% of all child deaths under the age of five are in newborn babies (up to 28 days). Drug-resistant strains of infection cause over 200,000 neonatal deaths per year. The situation is made worse by the increase in antimicrobial resistance, which is a major problem in South Africa.  

 “The reduction of infant mortality remains an axis of priority intervention of the official development aid of the Principality, and we are happy that South Africa, a partner country of the Monegasque Cooperation, is at the heart of this initiative,” said Mr Schutz.