Health & Medicine, UK (Commonwealth Union) – Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has emerged as a significant global threat to public health. It happens when microorganisms, like bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites, can resist the effects of antimicrobial drugs. This phenomenon renders many existing treatments ineffective, leading to increased morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs. Addressing AMR requires a comprehensive and coordinated response from governments, healthcare professionals, researchers, and the public.
A new study has emphasized the need for governments worldwide to handle the increasing threat of infections due to drug resistance.
Governments around the world must do more to tackle the growing threat of drug-resistant infections, new research suggests. National action plans to tackle the threat from AMR, have been formed by over 100 nations.
The plans are centered around policies to suppress AMR and drawing up tools to carry out the policies, however, they are not sufficiently factored in around tracking and assessment according to researchers.
The new study was conducted by experts from the universities of Leeds, Edinburgh as well as Hamburg, which is the 1st large-scale evaluation of these plans. They were produced following encouragement from the World Health Organisation, which ranks AMR as one of the top ten public health dangers humanity faces.
Numerous measures have been taken by countries across the world to resolve antimicrobial resistance such as raising awareness about AMR among the general public, healthcare professionals, and policymakers is crucial. Educate people about the appropriate use of antibiotics, the consequences of misuse, and the importance of completing the full course of treatment.
The overprescription of antibiotics by doctors has also been a driver of AMR. Moves have been made to encourage healthcare providers to prescribe antibiotics judiciously. Promote the use of evidence-based guidelines for antimicrobial prescribing, including appropriate dosing, duration, and selection of antibiotics. Implement antimicrobial stewardship programs in healthcare settings to optimize antibiotic use.
Other measures include recognizing that AMR is not limited to human health. Adopt a One Health approach that considers the interconnection between human health, animal health, and the environment. Promote responsible use of antibiotics in veterinary medicine and agriculture to minimize the emergence and spread of resistant bacteria.
Jay Patel, an undergraduate dental student in the School of Dentistry, who is the lead author indicated that their analysis demonstrated that nations were highly engaged in designing AMR policies and looking into what tools would be needed to conduct those, however, they generally did not take into account the way they would track and assess the results of those measures.
“This suggests that the international response may be inadequate to meet the scale and severity of AMR. This is particularly concerning in low and middle-income countries, where action plan activities often lack sustainable funding – relying instead on funds from foreign donors and philanthropies.”
“The available evidence also suggests that simply developing a national action plan may not necessarily mean a country is more prepared to respond to the threat of AMR.”
“Our study shows that the global response to AMR, and preparedness for the predicted challenges of AMR, require improvement in all locations around the world.”
The researchers pointed out that authorities across the globe must enhance their responses to AMR.
The researchers discovered that across all plans, there was increased attention on policy creation as well as implementation tools, however, measures to track and evaluate activities are usually poorly-considered.
From all areas assessed, accountability and feedback mechanisms scored the least, where education was next.
The nations that scored well in the participants showed a shared awareness that AMR only has a positive outcome when handled with engagement with various sectors that go across human, animal, and environmental health. Infection prevention and control were frequently recognized as an essential part.
