United Nation (UN) Ad hoc Interagency Coordinating Group has recently published a report "Antimicrobial Resistance drug-resistant diseases" that warns that an urgent action needs to be taken at ground level to prevent a potentially disastrous antimicrobial drug-resistance crisis. As per the report, antimicrobial resistance could cause 10 million deaths each year by 2050, and can damage the economy. By 2030, antimicrobial resistance could force up to 24 million people into extreme poverty.
As per the data available at least 700,000 people die each year due to drug-resistant diseases, including 230,000 people who die from multidrug-resistant tuberculosis. Moreover, the economic and health consequences prevent the action of the crucial medicines.
The Report calls for an urgent action to:
- Prioritize national action plans to scale-up financing and capacity-building efforts;
- Put in place stronger regulatory systems and support awareness programs for responsible and prudent use of antimicrobials by professionals in human, animal and plant health;
- Invest in important research and development for new technologies to combat antimicrobial resistance;
- Urgently phase out the use of critically important antimicrobials as growth promoters in agriculture.1
Antimicrobial resistance must be addressed urgently, through a One Health approach involving bold, long-term commitments from governments and other stakeholders, supported by international organizations. This report demonstrates the level of commitment and coordination that will be required as we face this global challenge to public health, animal health and welfare, and food security. We must all play our part in ensuring future access to and efficacy of these essential medicines."
Conclusion
The report highlights the need for coordinated and intensive efforts to overcome antimicrobial resistance - a major barrier to the achievement of many of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, including universal health coverage, secure and safe food, sustainable farming systems and clean water and sanitation. Moreover, it says that more stringent policies need to be developed at the ground level to prevent the future generations from suffering from the hazards of antimicrobial resistance, a major cause of millions of death.
Footnote
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