Moment of truth: Will Thailand lead from the front in combating antimicrobial resistance?
SHOBHA SHUKLA, BOBBY RAMAKANT - CNS
Dr Rossaphorn Kittiyaowamarn, Chief of Bangrak Sexually Transmitted Infections Center, Department of Disease Control, Ministry of Public Health, Government of Thailand
(Image by CNS) Details DMCA
Do we not dread an unfortunate situation of being infected with an incurable (or difficult to treat) disease? We saw how COVID-19 (to which there is no cure yet) jolted not only the global health security but also economic and social security worldwide.
When medicines stop working against disease-causing pathogens (such as, bacteria, virus, fungus or parasite) due to antimicrobial resistance, then diseases become difficult (or impossible) to treat. Inappropriate and irresponsible use of medicines is fuelling antimicrobial resistance in sectors such as human health, animal health and livestock, food and agriculture, and the environment.
Many infections that were previously treatable and curable with our drugs are becoming (or are at risk of becoming) incurable, as medicines are not working against them. Treating even common infections is becoming a problem. Surgeries are becoming risky.
Antimicrobial resistance is among the top killers now
Over 6 million deaths occurred in a year that were directly or indirectly attributed to antimicrobial resistance, making it among the top killers worldwide. "Bacterial resistance to antibiotics directly caused 1.27 million annual deaths among humans and indirectly causes or contributes or is associated with an additional 4.95 million annual deaths. This huge loss of human life due to antimicrobial resistance has made it the top killer among all other diseases and conditions. Moreover, according to a 2017 World Bank report, if no action is taken now, antimicrobial resistance is likely to cause an USD 1.2 trillion additional health expenditure per year by 2050, and push up to 24 million additional people (particularly in low-income countries) into extreme poverty by 2030," said Dr Haileyesus Getahun, Director, Global Coordination and Partnership on antimicrobial resistance, and Director, Quadripartite Joint Secretariat on antimicrobial resistance, World Health Organization (WHO).
(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).
