Artistic depiction of elephants and hunters, reflecting Tanzania’s push for more elephant hunting permits amid controversy.
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR), where bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites resist antimicrobial medicines, leads to harder-to-treat infections and, consequently, increases the risk of death. AMR is a growing global health crisis, directly responsible for 1.3 million deaths annually. In fact, the World Health Organization ranks it among the top 10 global health threats. AMR is especially a problem in sub-Saharan Africa, which accounts for a disproportionate number of AMR-related deaths. According to a report by Global Research on Antimicrobial Resistance (GRAM), it will be directly responsible for over six million deaths in the region between 2025 and 2030. Experts emphasize the need for a multi-faceted approach to combat the crisis, including improved infection prevention, clean water, sanitation, and access to antibiotics. Meanwhile, a high-level UN meeting in September 2024 set global targets to reduce AMR-related deaths by 10% by 2030, demonstrating a global commitment to control AMR’s growing threat.
SOURCE: DW