Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) occurs when microorganisms like bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites evolve to resist the effects of medications, making infections harder to treat. It poses a significant threat to global health, food security, and development.
The theme for the World AMR Awareness Week 2024 is “Educate, Advocate, Act now.”
Risks of AMR:
1. Untreatable Infections: Common diseases like pneumonia, tuberculosis, and sepsis may become incurable.
2. Increased Mortality: Resistant infections lead to higher death rates.
3. Prolonged Illness: AMR results in longer recovery times and hospital stays.
4. Higher Healthcare Costs: Treatment becomes more expensive due to prolonged care and use of newer drugs.
5. Medical Risks: Procedures like surgeries and chemotherapy become dangerous without effective antimicrobials.
Efforts to combat AMR include promoting responsible antimicrobial use, infection prevention, and advancing research into new treatments.
