Antibiotic Resistance: A Growing Global Health Crisis

WHO reports that one in six bacterial infections are resistant to antibiotics. The misuse and overuse have accelerated resistance, threatening health globally. The highest resistance levels are in South Asia and the Middle East. WHO calls for responsible use to safeguard the future of medicine.

The World Health Organization (WHO) revealed that one in six laboratory-confirmed bacterial infections worldwide are resistant to antibiotic treatments, emphasizing the urgent need for responsible usage of these critical medications.

According to the WHO report, antimicrobial resistance is rapidly outstripping medical advancements, posing a significant threat to global health. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stressed the importance of using antibiotics responsibly to ensure access to proper medicines, diagnostics, and vaccines for all.

Global antibiotic resistance results in over a million deaths annually, with particularly high levels observed in South Asia and the Middle East. In Africa, resistance to key treatments for infections leading to severe conditions like sepsis has exceeded 70%. The WHO calls for immediate action to curb this growing health challenge.

(With inputs from agencies.)