Oluwatobi Adu 
GENEVA, Switzerland – The World Health Organization has raised concerns over the growing burden of fungal diseases and rising resistance to antifungal medicines, warning that millions of lives remain at risk as countries continue to overlook the emerging public health threat.
In a new report released on Tuesday, the global health agency described fungal infections as one of the most neglected health challenges despite their increasing impact on mortality, healthcare systems and vulnerable populations worldwide.
According to WHO, more than 300 million people are affected by fungal infections annually, with many cases resulting in severe illness, long-term complications and death.
WHO said growing resistance threatens the effectiveness of available treatments and could disproportionately affect low- and middle-income countries where access to diagnosis and treatment remains limited.
“The Updated Global Action Plan on AMR approved by the Seventy-ninth World Health Assembly recognized that antifungal resistance is an integral part of the AMR challenge and one we can no longer afford to overlook. This Blueprint gives countries a concrete path forward,” said Jean Pierre Nyemazi, Acting Director of the Department of Antimicrobial Resistance at WHO.
The agency said the new blueprint was developed following consultations with more than 150 experts across its regions and is intended to help countries address gaps in diagnosis, treatment, surveillance, research and workforce capacity.
WHO identified four priority areas, including strengthening health systems, improving access to antifungal medicines and diagnostics, expanding laboratory capacity and addressing environmental and social factors contributing to fungal infections.
“Fungal disease and antifungal resistance remain an under-addressed priority across national health plans, AMR strategies and surveillance systems. This Blueprint provides countries with a practical framework to strengthen their response,” said Hatim Sati, Technical Officer in WHO’s Department of Antimicrobial Resistance.
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Mirian Gom 
