Antimicrobial Resistance: An Emerging Global Health Threat that Needs Concerted Efforts - By Sharmila Senthil Kumar

When microorganisms become resistant to antimicrobials, standard treatments are often ineffective, and in some cases, no drugs provide effective therapy. Consequently, treatments fail. This increases illness and mortality in humans, animals and plants.

According to UN Ad hoc Interagency Coordinating Group on Antimicrobial Resistance report – drug-resistant diseases could cause 10 million deaths each year by 2050 and damage to the economy as catastrophic as the 2008-2009 global financial crisis. By 2030, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) could force up to 24 million people into extreme poverty.

Currently, at least 700,000 people die each year due to drug-resistant diseases, including 230,000 people who die ....