Preventing Antimicrobial Resistance Together
The discovery of antimicrobials almost 90 years ago changed the course of modern medicine, giving doctors the ability to treat previously fatal infections. Since then, millions of lives have been saved.
Today, bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites are changing and becoming resistant to antimicrobials, like antibiotics, due to overuse and misuse of these medicines. As a result, common infections, like pneumonia, are becoming harder to treat – increasing the risk of disease spread, severe illness and death.
Infections with drug resistant pathogens contribute to almost 5 million deaths per year. That is to say – every 6 seconds, one person dies as a result of antimicrobial resistance. These infections also lead to increased healthcare costs and result in lower productivity. As a result, global GDP reductions are estimated at 1% - 3% by 2030, further threatening economic development.
As part of World Antimicrobial Awareness Week, 18 - 24 November, WHO in the Western Pacific Region is sounding the alarm for the “Crisis at Our Doorstep” and calling on all sectors to work together to “Act Now on Antimicrobial Resistance to Save Lives". Antimicrobial resistance is a threat to our health, our economies and our futures.
We call on all sectors to encourage the prudent use of antimicrobials and for health systems to transform to prepare for future pandemics resulting from antimicrobial resistance. Let’s work together to gear up our entire system for fighting against antimicrobial resistance, so that they can protect future generations.
Join the movement
Since 2017, WHO has called on people across the Region to take a Pledge to create a community of committed individuals that are Stewards for the Future helping to stop the overuse and misuse of antimicrobials and to make the Western Pacific the healthiest and safest region.
As we celebrate World Antimicrobial Awareness Week on 18-24 November, we’re inviting even more people to take the pledge, become Stewards for the Future and stand as One Region, One Movement to Fight AMR in the Western Pacific.