𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗶𝘀 𝗔𝗠𝗥 𝗮 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗿𝗻?

𝟏. 𝐈𝐧𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐛𝐢𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲: AMR can lead to longer hospital stays, increased healthcare costs, and even death.

𝟮. 𝗟𝗶𝗺𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗼𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀: As more microorganisms become resistant, there are fewer effective drugs available to treat infections.

𝟯. 𝗚𝗹𝗼𝗯𝗮𝗹 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝘀𝗲𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁: AMR can pose a significant threat to global health security, particularly in low- and middle-income countries with weaker healthcare systems.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗱𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗔𝗠𝗥?

𝟭. 𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗶𝗰𝗿𝗼𝗯𝗶𝗮𝗹𝘀: The excessive use of antimicrobials, both in human and animal health, can contribute to the development of resistance. Misuse of antimicrobials, such as not completing a full course of treatment or using them for inappropriate conditions, can also accelerate resistance.

𝟮. 𝗣𝗼𝗼𝗿 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗹: Inadequate infection prevention and control measures, such as not practicing good hygiene or not following proper sterilization procedures, can help spread resistant microorganisms.

𝟯. 𝗟𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗼𝗳 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲: In many parts of the world, people lack access to quality healthcare, including essential medicines and diagnostic services. This can contribute to the development and spread of AMR.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗘𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗰 𝗕𝘂𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗔𝗠𝗥

According to a study published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases in 2019, AMR was directly responsible for 1.27 million global deaths in 2019 and contributed to 4.95 million deaths. This economic burden is significant, with AMR estimated to cost the global economy $1 trillion annually by 2050.

𝗔𝗱𝗱𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝗠𝗥 𝗖𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘀

Addressing the AMR crisis requires a multi-faceted approach that involves:

𝟭. 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗶𝗰𝗿𝗼𝗯𝗶𝗮𝗹𝘀: This includes educating healthcare providers and the public about the proper use of antimicrobials, developing guidelines for their use, and implementing stewardship programs.

𝟮. 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗹: Investing in infection prevention and control measures, such as improving hygiene practices and ensuring adequate sanitation, can help reduce the spread of resistant microorganisms.

𝟯. 𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗶𝗰𝗿𝗼𝗯𝗶𝗮𝗹𝘀: Research and development of new antimicrobials is essential to combat AMR. However, this is a complex and expensive process, and it is important to ensure that new drugs are used responsibly to prevent the development of resistance.

𝟰. 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲: Ensuring that everyone has access to quality healthcare, including essential medicines and diagnostic services, is crucial for addressing AMR. This requires investments in healthcare infrastructure and human resources, as well as policies that promote equity and affordability.

Antimicrobial resistance is a serious global health threat that requires urgent action. By implementing effective strategies to reduce the overuse and misuse of antimicrobials, strengthen infection prevention and control, develop new antimicrobials, and improve access to healthcare, we can help combat AMR and protect public health.

For more information, please visit:

World Health Organization: https://www.who.int/health-topics/antimicrobial-resistance

References:

Antimicrobial Resistance: A Global Threat. World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/health-topics/antimicrobial-resistance

Antimicrobial resistance and the cost to the global economy. The Lancet Infectious Diseases. https://www.thelancet.com/infographics-do/antibiotic-resistance-series-2024

Global Antimicrobial Resistance and Use Surveillance System (GLASS). World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789241564748

Written By:

𝐉𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐧 𝐓𝐚𝐬𝐧𝐢𝐦 𝐑𝐚𝐟𝐚

Assistant Content Lead, BIIHR

B.Sc. (Pursuing), GCAHS