Alarming Rise in Antibiotic-Resistant Diseases: WHO Warning That Should Be Heeded
Alarming Rise in Antibiotic-Resistant Diseases: WHO Warning That Should Be Heeded
The world is experiencing an increase in antibiotic-resistant diseases across the world. India too is a country which has one of the highest prevalence and incidence of infectious diseases. There is also a poor regulation of the medical and pharmaceutical sector. Drug resistance is the result of misinformation as much as it the mutation of a bacteria or virus. Improved management of healthcare delivery systems can even prevent diseases from being contracted in the first place. Lack of effective medicine to counter antimicrobial resistance will make for a very difficult situation when it comes to warding off epidemics. Multi-drug resistance of tuberculosis and the emergence of resistance of malarial infection to anti-malarial medication such as artemisinin are a grave cause for concern.
WHO has been studying antimicrobial including antibiotic resistance and it is clear that the world is facing a threat that can harm anyone from any part of the world at any age. Drug resistance is a major threat to public health. Antibiotic resistance occurs when the bacteria mutates so that the antibiotic is no longer able to destroy it. This can have very disastrous implications for the health of the world.
Urgent action is needed by the government, non-governmental organizations, private sector, corporate groups, healthcare professionals and the public so that the crisis is confronted and tackled. We may soon be heading for an era where drug resistance may develop for common infections and minor injuries, according to WHO. Indeed, our condition may be likened to our ancestors who were not blessed with medicine or scientific knowledge.
While the scientific community will certainly strive to develop newer and more effective drugs, prevention is always better than cure. Inculcating healthy habits among people is the first step towards being proactive in tackling this problem. Many parts of the world such as Africa and pockets of certain nations in Asia such as Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh are suffering from poverty and inadequate infrastructure. This can have a very detrimental effect on the population which is increasingly vulnerable to infectious, drug-resistant diseases. Poor hygiene and sanitation will add further to the menace. It is like a vicious chain where one problem is compounding another.
The world is now headed for an era where antibiotics will no longer work. This is a disaster because antibiotics had been the reason why we could live longer, healthier lives. The world will lose more people to diseases because of lack of proper management of resources. With leading healthcare organizations such as WHO cautioning and urging world governments to take action, climate change is not the only menace which confronts us. We are now in a position where the earth is facing increasing threat as are human lives. The worst part is that all that is needed to combat the problem is decisive action on the part of world leaders.
Food security is important. Health security is also important. In horrific news provided by WHO in its report, 7 different bacteria responsible for serious diseases such as sepsis, pneumonia and other such conditions have now developed antibiotic resistance. Last resort antibiotics especially those which would have prevented a person from dying due to disease will no longer work for these 7 types of bacteria.
WHO is indicating that the need for active monitoring of the drug-resistant diseases. Better hygiene and access to potable and clean water, vaccination as well as healthy eating habits. It has also sounded the alarm nations across the world. Whether the leaders are listening is another matter. A high priority for India at this stage is to develop more adequate healthcare infrastructure. While current healthcare facilities to meet the needs of the Indian population are far from adequate, sanitation is another crucial area where decisive action must be taken. The future of the country’s poor and marginalized are now in the hand of its leaders. When leading organizations such as WHO speak up, it is hoped that they are listening.
