BSS, Dhaka :
Experts have sounded caution regarding Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), saying the condition will cause a loss of 2-3.5% of GDP globally by 2050 as the risk is growing day by day.
AMR is when microbes are less treatable with one or more medication used to treat or prevent infection. This makes these medications less effective in both treating and preventing infection.
Resistant microbes may require other medications or higher doses – often with more side effects, some of which may be life threatening on their own. Some infections become completely untreatable due to resistance.
Dr Rajesh Bhatia, chief scientific advisor to the regional director, WHO-SEARO, said the condition is leaving terrifying impact on human health.
It is causing the patients to take treatment for longer period of time, longer duration of illnesses and many more.
While talking about its effect, Dr Bhatia said “One child is dying in countries like Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Nepal in every five minutes for this. Cases of extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis, commonly known as XDR TB, have been reported from Bangladesh, India, Indonesia and Thailand.”
“We know widespread use of antibiotics use has caused more bacteria to become resistant, a process called evolutionary pressure. And the self-medication is to blame for it in some extent,” he added.
But the WHO expert said the story is not all grim as Bangladesh has a national programme in this regard and is also working very hard.
“The WHO regional director Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh has also gave special emphasis on this and identified AMR as one of her flagship priorities,” Dr Bhatia said.
Experts have sounded caution regarding Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), saying the condition will cause a loss of 2-3.5% of GDP globally by 2050 as the risk is growing day by day.
AMR is when microbes are less treatable with one or more medication used to treat or prevent infection. This makes these medications less effective in both treating and preventing infection.
Resistant microbes may require other medications or higher doses – often with more side effects, some of which may be life threatening on their own. Some infections become completely untreatable due to resistance.
Dr Rajesh Bhatia, chief scientific advisor to the regional director, WHO-SEARO, said the condition is leaving terrifying impact on human health.
It is causing the patients to take treatment for longer period of time, longer duration of illnesses and many more.
While talking about its effect, Dr Bhatia said “One child is dying in countries like Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Nepal in every five minutes for this. Cases of extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis, commonly known as XDR TB, have been reported from Bangladesh, India, Indonesia and Thailand.”
“We know widespread use of antibiotics use has caused more bacteria to become resistant, a process called evolutionary pressure. And the self-medication is to blame for it in some extent,” he added.
But the WHO expert said the story is not all grim as Bangladesh has a national programme in this regard and is also working very hard.
“The WHO regional director Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh has also gave special emphasis on this and identified AMR as one of her flagship priorities,” Dr Bhatia said.
