At great risk
IF antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is left unchecked, the results could be devastating.
So says Jessie Schutt-Aine, Sub-regional Programme Co-ordinator, Pan American Health Organisation based in Barbados. She made the point during a virtual event yesterday, which was hosted by the Caribbean Public Health Agency and the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) as part of activities to mark World Antimicrobial Awareness Week.
“We all need to raise awareness about AMR and this week serves that purpose. PAHO has created educational materials including public service announcements on antimicrobial resistance to help people understand that our time with antibiotics is running out. So we need to make changes now to reduce our risk,” she said.
Schutt-Aine added, “If AMR is left unchecked, the next epidemic could be bacterial and we would be left more vulnerable in the face of antimicrobials that are not effective. We all need to do our part in combating antimicrobial resistance. AMR is here and we need to slow it down, and we need to unite to preserve antimicrobials,” she stated.
Referring to a report commissioned by the British government last year, Schutt-Aine said it is estimated that about 700,000 deaths globally can be attributed to AMR and the toll could rise to 10 million deaths in the next 35 years. She said that if the trend is not reversed, it could result in US$100 trillion in losses.
The PAHO official went on to say that there is a lack of data for low- and middle-income countries as it relates to AMR, making it difficult to know the exact scale of AMR in those countries. Pointing out that one of the major challenges is obtaining sufficient data on AMR, she said robust surveillance systems must be employed.
Her remarks came as she explained that AMR occurs when bacteria, fungus and parasites resist the effects of medications like antibiotics and antifungals. The PAHO official said these micro-organisms make common infections harder to treat and increase the risk of spread of severe illness and even death. She added that AMR is increased when persons abuse or misuse antimicrobials, such as an anti-biotic for a viral infection and not a bacterial one, not following prescriptions as recommended by the doctor and sharing antibiotics with family; and she is therefore calling for a change in those behaviours. (JRT)