ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE

The use of antibiotics has changed our lives forever. Diseases that in the past could cause death (such as pneumonia, malaria, typhoid fever etc) nowadays can be cured through an antibiotic therapy prescribed by the doctor.

However, the increasingly widespread antibiotic resistance represents, as the WHO has stated, slow tsunami that threatens to wipe out a century of medical progress.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) causes an estimated 700,000 deaths annually worldwide, and every country is potentially affected. If not properly addressed, the number could grow to 10 million per year by 2050.

Causes of antimicrobial resistance;

AMR occurs when bacteria and other microbes adapt and become less susceptible to medical treatment. \[i.e same medicines that once completely eradicated an infection caused by a certain strain of bacteria/virus become ineffective because such strain is now resistant to that medicine\].

This AMR can be passed on from generation to generation of microbes (with newer strains)

Over the years;

The use and misuse of antimicrobials in humans, animals and plants 

1. Humans self diagnose and self medicate and consequently may be treating the wrong infection, also with continued non-adherence to prescriber's instructions expose themselves to Antimicrobial resistance AMR.

2.misuse of antibiotics in poultry, fish farming, piggery and general livestock farming which when AMR occurs in them can be transmitted to humans who consume their products such as meat, egg, milk.

3. Misuse of antibiotics in the control of bacterial infection and ensuring good yield of plants and hence leading to AMR which is transmitted when plant parts are consumed by humans.

4.Poor prescribing practices among physicians.

5.Lack of patient adherence to medications.

[e.g tablets meant to be taken twice a day, but at morning and at night, taken once or not completing drug doses when one feels better already during course of therapy]

 6.Global travel and trade

[drug smuggling and street hawking by non-professionals], e.t.c

These things have  accelerated the threat of AMR worldwide. Consequently, an increased number of infectious diseases have become difficult to manage, with dramatic health and economic impact.

The consequences of AMR on health and healthcare systems are extraordinary. It has been estimated that multi-drug resistant infections cause approximately 700,000 deaths worldwide each year. Unless action is taken, as stated earlier, it is projected that the burden of deaths from AMR could reach 10 million each year globally by 2050.

The way forward?

AMR presents a global public health threat. It is a dynamic phenomenon that occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites resist the effects of medications, making common infections harder to treat, increasing the risk of disease spread, severe illness and death.

Apart from the improper use of antimicrobials, there is increasing evidence that medicine quality is another significant factor. Medicines with a lower dose of the active ingredient can lead to resistance. Strategies aimed at addressing antimicrobial resistance include;

*Ensuring broad access to affordable medicines.

*Educating the populace on the proper use of medicines and the consequences of AMR.

*Clampdown of authorities (NAFDAC, NDLEA) on the sale of substandard and fake drugs by vendors

*Proper stewardship of existing antimicrobial treatments.

*Investments in the development of new treatments.

©️ PUBLIC HEALTH ORBITAL