By Hamu Madzedze
The Antimicrobial resistance(AMR) is directly responsible for 1.3 million deaths and the situation has become more critical than what it appears
The World Health Organisation (WHO) said AMR is poising a threat to the global health,food security and achieving the 2030 sustainable development goals.
AMR is also threatening the economic future with an estimated global annual cost of up to US$3.4 trillion by 2030 and 28 million people will be pushed into poverty by 2050.
WHO has urged governments ,NGOs civil society groups ,youth and student organisations,universities,healthcare professionals private stakeholders and media to act and engage local communities in raising awareness around this global health challenge .
According to WHO behind every number there are real human cost such as limited treatment options,extended hospital stays,constant medication,prolonged loss of income ,medical debt ,poverty,family loss.
Since their discovery a century ago antimicrobial medicines including antibiotics,antifungals and antiparasites have significantly extended average life expectancy as everyday these essential medicines save millions of lives .
However when Antimicrobial resistance occurs due to misuse of the drugs bacteria,fungi and parasites will no longer respond to antibiotics, and other antimicrobial medicines become ineffective ,making infections harder or impossible to treat and thereby increasing the risk of disease spread ,severe illness and death.
Antimicrobial resistance is invisible but its victims are not and currently they are 12 survivors who share their stories urging awareness and action to stop AMR in its tracks.
According to WHO sharing real life experiences on AMR is aimed at illustrating their tangible impact and promote global action.
Similar to COVID 19 , drug resistant infections know no borders and no single country or individual can fight AMR alone.
The World Health Organisation said the international community should set ambitious goals during high- level meetings on AMR and also countries should allocate sufficient resources to meet AMR national action plans.
Campaign Slogan: Antimicrobial resistance(AMR) is invisible .l am not
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