Antimicrobial resistance is a serious threat to global health and development. It occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites evolve to resist the drugs that are used to treat them. This makes infections harder to treat and increases the risk of disease spread, severe illness and death.
Antimicrobial resistance is driven by many factors, such as overuse and misuse of antibiotics in humans and animals, poor infection prevention and control practices, lack of access to quality medicines and diagnostics, and environmental contamination. It affects everyone, everywhere, and has implications for food security, economic growth, social stability and national security.
To combat antimicrobial resistance, we need a coordinated and multisectoral approach that involves governments, health professionals, researchers, industry, civil society and the general public. We need to implement the global action plan on antimicrobial resistance, which outlines five strategic objectives:
- To improve awareness and understanding of antimicrobial resistance
- To strengthen surveillance and research
- To reduce the incidence of infection
- To optimize the use of antimicrobial agents
- To ensure sustainable investment in new drugs, diagnostics, vaccines and other interventions
Antimicrobial resistance is not inevitable. We can still turn the tide if we act now and act together.