From Allafrica · · 1m 20s
Drug-Resistant Bacteria Kill 1m Annually
WHO warns drug-resistant infections kill 1m people yearly, urging global action.
In brief
WHO warns drug-resistant infections kill 1m people yearly, urging global action. Drug-resistant bacterial infections kill about one million people globally each year, requiring coordinated action across human, animal, food and environmental sectors to curb the threat. Originally reported by Allafrica.
WHO reports 1m annual deaths
The World Health Organisation says drug-resistant bacterial infections kill about one million people globally every year.
“drug-resistant bacterial infections kill about one million people globally every year”
AMR: Silent pandemic
Jean-Pierre Nyemazi, WHO Acting Director of AMR Department, stated one million people die yearly from drug-resistant bacteria, two per minute.
“one million people die every year due to drug-resistant bacteria alone - that is, two people every minute die of bacterial amr”
AMR requires urgent action
Nyemazi called for coordinated action across human, animal, food and environmental sectors to curb drug-resistant bacterial infections.
“we know what works to prevent and control the threat”
Prevention is key
Nyemazi emphasized preventing infections through better vaccination, infection prevention and control, water sanitation and hygiene, and improved animal husbandry.
“preventing infections is the number one priority. this can be done through better vaccination, infection prevention and control, water, sanitation and hygiene (wash), and improved animal husbandry”
One Health approach
Nyemazi stressed the One Health approach linking human, animal, plant and environmental health to combat drug-resistant pathogens.
“the one health approach, which recognises the links between human, animal, plant and environmental health, was essential because drug-resistant pathogens could move across sectors and borders”
Global Action Plan update
WHO Member States approved an updated Global Action Plan on AMR at the World Health Assembly in May for a 10-year One Health approach.
“the updated plan placed stronger emphasis on prevention, governance, behavioural change and measurable targets”
Parliament's role
Martin Häusling, a European Parliament member, warned excessive antibiotic use in food-producing animals contributes to AMR.
“when it comes to food-producing animals, we still use far too many last-resort antibiotics, and we must get away from that”
Survivor story
AMR survivor Rob Purdie spent $250,000 on hospital costs and couldn't work for five years after delayed diagnosis.
“my ability to earn a living was eliminated for about five years in a single-income household where i provided for my wife and two children”
The key point
Drug-resistant bacterial infections kill about one million people globally each year, requiring coordinated action across human, animal, food and environmental sectors to curb the threat.
