The growing occurrence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) results in infections that are increasingly difficult to treat. These infections often necessitate prolonged hospitalizations, the use of pricier medications, specialized care solutions, and occasionally surgical treatments. This increased complexity in medical care translates into substantial economic burdens globally, with extended treatments, intricate interventions, and enhanced mortality risks exacerbating healthcare costs dramatically.
Confronting AMR is therefore not only a critical health challenge but an urgent economic one, demanding attention through the One Health approach. As we head towards what some term a post-antibiotic era, where routine infections may turn lethal once more, this worldwide health emergency—driven by the excessive and erroneous use of antibiotics—requires immediate and comprehensive action. Dr. Shahzad Mirza, a Clinical Microbiology Professor and Hospital Infection Control Officer at Dr. D.Y. Patil Medical College, Hospital & Research Centre, Pimpri, Pune, emphasized the urgency of tackling this issue.
Observed worldwide from November 18 to 24, World AMR Awareness Week carries the theme ‘Educate, Advocate, Act Now.’ Dr. Mirza stresses that the One Health approach acknowledges the close connections between human, animal, and environmental health, forming a crucial strategy for AMR mitigation. This perspective calls for cross-sector cooperation among healthcare, agriculture, and environmental disciplines to target AMR’s fundamental causes and forge enduring solutions.
AMR primarily results from the overuse and misuse of antimicrobials in both human medicine and veterinary care. When these medications are used improperly, they can promote the selection of resistant bacterial strains, Dr. Mirza added.
By adopting a One Health approach, different facets of AMR can be addressed in a comprehensive manner. Essential actions include promoting responsible antimicrobial use and enforcing strict infection control policies. It is essential to bolster public health systems by enhancing sanitation, hygiene, and monitoring systems. Additionally, increased investment in the research and development of novel drugs and treatments is crucial, according to Dr. Mirza.
Addressing this urgent issue demands a holistic, interdisciplinary strategy. The One Health approach, acknowledging the complex interplay between human, animal, and environmental health, provides a robust framework for tackling AMR. By facilitating collaboration among sectors such as healthcare, agriculture, and environmental management, it is possible to address AMR’s foundational causes and create viable long-term solutions, stated Dr. Mirza.
Additional factors fuelling AMR’s rise include inadequate sanitation, insufficient hygiene, and limited access to clean water. These conditions foster the proliferation and resistance of bacteria. AMR’s implications extend broadly, affecting public health, food safety, and global economic growth. Incurable infections can lead to debilitation, severe illness, and mortality.
In medical environments, AMR can give rise to outbreaks of hard-to-manage infections, increasing healthcare expenses and hospital stays. In the agricultural sector, misuse of antimicrobials for livestock enhances AMR in bacteria affecting both animals and humans, potentially causing foodborne illnesses and diminishing livestock productivity, Dr. Mirza explained.