Health

KEY POINTS

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR)

·         It occurs when microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites change in ways that render the medications used to cure the infections they cause ineffective.

·         When the microorganisms become resistant to most antimicrobials they are often referred to as “superbugs”.

Urgency to treat AMR

·         Without exception, all classes of antibiotics have been reported for resistance in at least some of the pathogens they have been intended to treat.

·         It is a major concern because a resistant infection may kill, can spread to others, and imposes huge costs to individuals and society.

·         It poses big challenges to treat common infectious diseases, resulting in prolonged infection, disability and death.

·         Without effective antimicrobials, to check and treat infections, medical procedures such as organ transplantation, chemotherapy, diabetes management and major surgeries become high-risk affairs.

·         Not only this situation becomes a public health issue but it also threatens to undermine the achievement of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.

Recommendations

·         Improve awareness and understanding of antimicrobial resistance.

·         Strengthen knowledge through surveillance and research.

·         Reduce the incidence of infection.

·         Optimize the use of antimicrobial agents.

·         Increase investments in new medicines, diagnostic tools, vaccines and other interventions.

·         Strengthen leadership and commitment at international and national level.

·         There is a need for an integrated approach in multiple sectors such as human health, animal husbandry, agriculture and environment globally.

As the world enters the ambitious new era of sustainable development, we cannot allow hard-won gains for health to be eroded by the failure of our mainstay medicines.