Based on an analysis that is part of a four-paper series published in The Lancet journal, antimicrobial resistance that results in fatalities in low- and middle-income countries might be avoided by strengthening strategies that prevent infections.
The researchers listed some precautions to avoid such cases. these includes- access to safe drinking water, good sanitation, pediatric vaccinations, and frequent cleaning and sterilization of medical equipment as some of these precautions.
According to the estimates of the multinational study team, bacterial illnesses account for one out of every eight deaths worldwide each year. Approximately 77 lakh deaths are linked to antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
In order to meet ambitious and doable goals for combating antimicrobial resistance (AMR), the authors urged assistance for the provision of sustainable access to antibiotics.
“Effective antibiotic access is crucial for patients everywhere. The UN sustainable development targets on child survival and health aging could be missed if these drugs are not made available, according to series co-author Iruka Okeke of the University of Ibadan in Nigeria.
According to Okeke, efficient antibiotics save lives, lessen impairments, lower healthcare expenses, and allow for additional life-saving procedures like surgery.
“However, antimicrobial resistance is on the rise – accelerated by misleading use of antibiotics during the COVID-19 pandemic – threatening the backbone of modern medicine and already leading to deaths and disease which would have once been prevented,” Okeke stated.
The modelling study carried out for the compilation of the papers suggests that current infection prevention strategies can avoid mortality linked to antimicrobial resistance.