HIFA Country Representative Dr. Muhammad Asaduzzaman receives SIDA grant for AMR research

30 April, 2017

HIFA Country Representative in Bangladesh, Dr. Muhammad Asaduzzaman has been awarded the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) grant to conduct research on Antimicrobial Resistance. SIDA works to contribute in implementing Sweden’s Policy for Global Development. In response to this prestigious grant call for 2017-2018, 138 proposals were received and after rigorous review process by the Scientific Advisory Group members, only 13 proposals have been selected for funding. 

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is widely recognised as a global threat to human health. This widespread and alarming One Health issue causes more than a million annual deaths and is also a significant contributor to human mortality and morbidity in Bangladesh. The environment in Bangladesh is ideal for the rapid spread of AMR with high density of populations along with inadequate regulation of the release of antimicrobials into the environment through production and manufacturing processes. Dr. Asad will conduct research on the environmental dimension of antimicrobial resistance in Bangladesh with temporospatial diversity. His work will supplement the HIFA Project on Information for Prescribers and Users of Medicines which is leading the HIFA community towards the realisation of Information on Medicines For All.  

Dr. Muhammad Asaduzzaman, a Massey graduate and One Health Epidemiology Fellow for South Asia, is currently working as Research Investigator at the International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b). He has special interest in innovative idea generation in zoonotic disease research through ONE HEALTH approach. Dr. Asad received HIFA Special Commendation of the year 2016 for his continuous and dedicated efforts in advocating Healthcare Information For All.