New Delhi: The World Health Organization (WHO) has called for urgent, high-level action to address the global scourge of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), which poses an existential threat to human health and could return the world to the pre-antibiotic era, a WHO press release stated.
Antimicrobial resistance is a global threat that is causing immense suffering around the world. Low- and middle-income countries are particularly vulnerable to the effects of antimicrobial resistance, as they often lack the resources to prevent and treat infections.
“Antimicrobial resistance threatens a century of medical progress and could return us to the pre-antibiotic era, where infections that are treatable today could become a death sentence,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General.
The WHO called on world leaders to invest in global public health to address the critical global health challenges. WHO officials will convey the importance of investing in global health and of a robust and fully funded WHO to work with countries in advancing health for all, the release added.
Tedros said that strong health systems, equitable access to health services, and robust pandemic preparedness are vital for a safer and healthier world. “We must harness the power of digital technologies to bridge gaps in access to health services and build resilient systems that can meet the multiple overlapping health challenges of our world, from outbreaks, epidemics and pandemics to climate change and the burden of noncommunicable diseases,” he said.