The UN and global health agencies are sounding the alarm on drug-resistant infections; new recommendations to reduce the "staggering number" of future deaths



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According to an innovative report, the United Nations Interagency Task Force on Antimicrobial Resistance warned that if no action was taken, drug-resistant diseases could cause 10 million deaths each year by the end of the decade. 2050 and economic damages as catastrophic as in 2008-2009. global financial crisis. By 2030, antimicrobial resistance could push up to 24 million people to extreme poverty.

At present, at least 700,000 people die each year from a drug-resistant disease, including 230,000 people who have died of MDR-TB.

More and more common diseases, including respiratory and urinary tract infections, as well as sexually transmitted infections, are incurable. Life-saving medical procedures are becoming increasingly risky and our food systems are increasingly precarious, the report says.

"We are at a critical juncture in the fight for the protection of some of our most essential medicines," said Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director general of WHO and co-chair of the inter-agency committee. "This report contains concrete recommendations that could save thousands of lives each year."

The world is already feeling the economic and health consequences, while essential drugs are becoming ineffective. Without investment from countries of all income groups, future generations will face the disastrous consequences of uncontrolled antimicrobial resistance.

Recognizing that human, animal, food and environmental health are closely linked, the report calls for a coordinated and multisectoral approach to "One health".

It recommends to countries:

  • prioritize national action plans to scale up funding and capacity building efforts;
  • put in place stronger regulatory systems and support awareness programs on the responsible and prudent use of antimicrobials by human, animal and plant health professionals;
  • invest in ambitious research and development of new technologies to combat antimicrobial resistance; and
  • urgently eliminate the use of antimicrobials of critical importance as growth factors in agriculture.

"Antimicrobial resistance is one of the biggest threats we face as a global community. This report reflects the depth and breadth of the response needed to stunt its growth and protect a century of progress in health, "said Amina Mohammed, UN Under-Secretary-General and Co-Chair of CMAI.

"She rightly points out that there is no time to wait, and I urge all stakeholders to follow up on her recommendations and to work urgently to protect our people and their families." the planet and guarantee a sustainable future for all, "she added.

The report stresses the need to coordinate and intensify efforts to overcome antimicrobial resistance: a major obstacle to achieving many of the goals of sustainable development, including universal health coverage, safe and secure food, agricultural systems sustainable sanitation.

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