Antimicrobial resistance is an increasingly serious threat to global public health, requiring action across government and society. The consequences of superbugs spreading through hospitals are extremely serious, but help is at hand, says Mike Sullivan, managing director of GOJO Industries-Europe.
It is impossible to overstate the significance of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The danger that superbugs – micro-organisms which have evolved to overcome the effects of antimicrobial drugs, such as antibiotics – present to the health and well-being of humanity is serious and growing. Without effective antimicrobials, the success of major surgery and other treatments, such as chemotherapy, is highly compromised. Infections that develop resistance to treatment can prolong common illness, lead to complications and in the worst event even death
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that globally, 480,000 people develop multi-drug resistant tuberculosis each year, while drug resistance is also starting to complicate the fight against HIV and malaria. The WHO also says that the cost of healthcare for patients with resistant infections is higher than care for patients with non-resistant infections. This is due to a longer duration of illness, more intensive care requirements, additional tests and use of more expensive drugs.
With existing antimicrobial medicines becoming ineffective in the fight against infection, it is of paramount importance that their misuse and overuse is reduced. They should be limited only to those cases where they are absolutely necessary, while funding for research into new antimicrobial drugs must be prioritised. At the same time, it is crucial that existing superbug infections are prevented from spreading.
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