New Delhi, November 18 (IANS). Saima Wajed, the World Health Organization’s regional director for Southeast Asia, said on Monday that the problem of antimicrobial resistance is more serious in developing countries, which is becoming a global health concern. It affects the effectiveness of life-saving drugs and the treatment of infectious diseases.
World Antimicrobial Awareness Week, observed every year on 18–24 November, aims to raise awareness of global antimicrobial resistance and encourage best practices.
This year the theme of World Antimicrobial Awareness Week 2024 is “Educate, Advocate, Act Now”. This reflects the urgency and commitment needed to tackle antimicrobial resistance at every level.
According to WHO, an estimated 1.27 million global deaths in 2019 were the direct result of bacterial antimicrobial resistance, and it caused 4.95 million deaths.
Wajed cited limited access to healthcare and misuse of antimicrobial drugs as major risk factors for increased risk of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in developing countries.
“There is an urgent need to tackle AMR,” the regional director said. “High population density, limited healthcare access and misuse of antimicrobial drugs increase the risks and impacts of AMR.”
He said the celebration of World Antimicrobial Awareness Week this year follows the historic approval of the Political Declaration 2024 on AMR at the 79th High-level Meeting of the UN General Assembly and the Fourth Global High-level Ministerial Conference on AMR in Jeddah.
Wazed said, “World leaders have set several important goals to fight antimicrobial resistance (AMR). This goal includes implementing funded national action plans in at least 60 percent of countries by 2030.”
“The choices we make today will impact the health of future generations,” Wajed said. Your commitment and leadership is critical to translating results and impacts.”
–IANS
MKS/AS