Mirian Gom 
ABUJA, Nigeria – Drug-resistant bacterial infections kill about one million people globally each year, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO), which is calling for stronger action across human, animal, food and environmental health sectors.
Director of the Department of Antimicrobial Resistance at WHO, Dr Jean Pierre Nyemazi, said this during a virtual conference ahead of an exhibition on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) at the European Parliament. “AMR is taking many lives. One million people die every year due to drug-resistant bacteria alone – that is, two people every minute die of bacterial AMR,” Nyemazi said.
He called for prevention to remain at the centre of efforts to tackle AMR, citing vaccination, infection prevention and control, water, sanitation and hygiene, and improved animal husbandry as key interventions.
Nyemazi also identified stronger surveillance, responsible antimicrobial use, access to quality medicines and diagnostics, and measures to reduce environmental contamination as important components of the response. “The tools exist, and the evidence is there, but the cost of inaction is rising. The longer we delay action, the higher the cost becomes,” he said.
AMR occurs when microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites no longer respond effectively to medicines used to treat infections, making infections harder to treat and increasing the risk of severe disease and death.
Nyemazi said a One Health approach was necessary because drug-resistant pathogens can move across sectors and borders. He said parliamentarians had an important role in ensuring that national AMR commitments were backed by legislation, financing and accountability.
He also highlighted the role of journalists in raising public awareness and keeping AMR on the policy agenda. “They raise awareness, combat misinformation, and ensure that AMR remains visible to decisionmakers and the public alike,” he said.
About the Author
Oluwatobi Adu 
Hope Ajayi 
