What is antimicrobial resistance and why does it matter? |22 September 2017
Antibiotic resistance is one of the biggest threats to global health today and it is rising to dangerously high levels in all parts of the world.
According to the Pharmaceutical Department of the Seychelles Health Care Agency, it is compromising our ability to treat infectious diseases and putting people everywhere at risk including Seychelles.
Without effective antibiotics, many routine treatments will become increasingly dangerous. Setting broken bones, basic operations, even chemotherapy and animal health all rely on access to antibiotics that work.
Currently, 700,000 people die of resistant infections every year. Unless we take action, it is estimated that by 2050 this will rise to 10 million lives a year.
It is 30 years since a new class of antibiotics was last introduced, despite the fact that growing numbers of bacterial and viral infections are resistant to antibiotics.
The failure to recognize the consequences of inappropriate antimicrobial use as well as the inability to control antimicrobial use in primary care and hospital settings leads to overuse and unneeded use.
Resistance means:
- People cannot be treated effectively
- People are ill for longer
- People are at greater risk of dying
- Epidemics are prolonged
- Others are at greater risk of infections
Antimicrobial resistance is as a major public health problem for Seychelles, increasing morbidity and mortality as well as healthcare costs. The annual expenditure in 2016 for antimicrobial is over SR 4 million for Health Care Agency. SR 2.0 (50%) million alone spent on restricted/reserved antimicrobials (treatment for multi-resistant bacterial infections). Resistance has economic and clinical consequences, with increased overall treatment costs due to prolonged illness and resistance to cheaper first-line antimicrobials, making it necessary to use more costly medicines.
Antibiotic resistance should be a concern to all citizens of Seychelles
Without effective antibiotics, many routine treatments will become increasingly dangerous. There is a needto slow resistance and we need to cut the unnecessary use of antibiotics. The public, students, educators, farmers, veterinary/medical communities and professional organisations, should become Antibiotic Guardians.
Everyone can help by making one simple pledge about how you will make better use of antibiotics and help save these vital medicines from becoming obsolete.
5 things you can do to reduce antibiotic resistance
- I will not ask for antibiotics for colds/flu as they have no effect on viruses
- I understand that antibiotics will not help me recover faster from a viral infection
- I will only take antibiotics in the way they have been prescribed
- I understand that it is possible to pass on antibiotic resistant bacteria to others
- I will make a greater effort to prevent the spread of germs by practicing good hygiene
ANTIBIOTICS AREN’T ALWAYS THE ANSWER
Use antibiotics wisely to help protect your health, the health of your family and community.