Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global health threat as it makes infections harder to treat, increasing the risk of prolonged illness, disability, and even death. A recent study has revealed that over three million children died globally in 2022 due to drug resistance.
Children in Southeast Asia and Africa were found to be more at risk of AMR.
What is Antimicrobial resistance (AMR)?
AMR occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites no longer respond to antimicrobial medicines. Due to drug resistance, antibiotics and other antimicrobial medicines become ineffective.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), bacterial AMR caused 1.27 million global deaths in 2019.
AMR has been identified as one of the biggest public health threats in the world.
The recent study, however, puts the focus on children. The study has put forward the estimated figures by analysing the data of WHO and the World Bank. It underscores the urgent need for both regional and global strategies to combat pediatric AMR.
In 2022, over 7,52,000 children in Southeast Asia and 6,59,000 children in Africa died of AMR-related complications. Experts believe that Covid pandemic also played a role in accelerating the situation.
Studies have pointed out that the use of antibiotics has increased over time. The overuse and misuse of antibiotics in humans, animals, and agriculture have accelerated the emergence of 'superbugs'.
From skin infections to pneumonia, antibiotics are used to treat and prevent bacterial, viral and fungal infections.
The study by Doctor Yanhong Jessika Hu of Murdoch Children's Research Institute in Australia and Professor Herb Harwell of the Clinton Health Access Initiative highlights that there is a significant growth in the use of antibiotics especially those meant to treat serious infections.
The use of ‘watch antibiotics’, drugs with a high risk of resistance, increased by 160% in Southeast Asia and 126% in Africa between 2019 and 2021. While the use of ‘reserve antibiotics’, last resort medicines meant for severe multidrug-resistant infections, increased by 45% in South East Asia and 125% in Africa.
