Antimicrobial resistance claims 700,000 lives a year, warns WHO

The antibiotic resistance It has become one of the greatest threats to global public health. This phenomenon, also classified as a “silent pandemic,” represents a growing challenge that puts not only people’s health at risk, but also medical advances.

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“We are facing an invisible enemy that knows no borders and that compromises our ability to treat infections that were previously manageable,” says Monique Baudrit, medical director of Pfizer Central America and the Caribbean.

Antibiotic-resistant bacteria arise due to mutations that allow them to survive treatments that traditionally eliminated them. “These resistant strains are capable of developing mechanisms that neutralize the effects of drugs, which represents a gigantic challenge for modern medicine,” explains Baudrit.

The impact of the antimicrobial resistance is large, since it compromises routine medical procedures, increasing care costs and prolonging hospital stays. It can also complicate the effectiveness of treatments for chronic diseases, such as diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and cancer.

In fact, antimicrobial resistance is one of the top 10 public health threats facing humanity, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

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It also warns that infections caused by this resistance increase morbidity and mortality, and could cause 10 million deaths each year by 2050 if urgent measures are not taken; as well as leaving economic losses that would exceed 100 billion dollars.

Additionally, it could force up to 24 million people into extreme poverty by 2030, primarily due to health costs and loss of work productivity.

Added to this reality are already known factors such as the decrease in the development of new antibiotics and the improper use of existing ones, since both aggravate the problem.

“The overuse and inappropriate administration of antibiotics, both in human medicine and in agribusiness, have accelerated the spread of resistance. The practice of prescribing antibiotics for viral diseases, where they are not effective, and the premature interruption of antibiotic treatments contribute significantly to this phenomenon,” explains Baudrit.

In this sense, education and awareness are a priority that must be binding on all people, not only health professionals. This without leaving aside the fundamental role of good personal hygiene, with common practices such as good hand washing, which prevent the spread of bacteria.

“Antomicrobial resistance is a complex challenge that requires a coordinated global and local response. We must raise awareness about this problem and work together to implement effective strategies that ensure the effectiveness of antibiotics for future generations,” Baudrit concluded.