21st September 2025, Kathmandu
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a pressing global health and economic crisis, often described as a “silent pandemic”. It poses a significant threat to human health, food safety, and global economic stability.
Antimicrobial Resistance Silent Pandemic
This is due to the rising number of infections that are becoming increasingly difficult, or even impossible, to treat.
What is Antimicrobial Resistance?
AMR occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites evolve over time and no longer respond to the medicines designed to treat them. This renders drugs like antibiotics, antivirals, antifungals, and antiparasitics ineffective, causing infections to persist and spread.
This natural process is primarily driven by the misuse and overuse of antimicrobials in humans, animals, and plants. Poor sanitation and inadequate infection control exacerbate the problem, making AMR one of the world’s most urgent public health challenges.
The Global Impact of AMR
The consequences of unchecked AMR are severe and far-reaching:
Health Crisis: In 2019, bacterial AMR was directly responsible for an estimated 1.27 million deaths and contributed to nearly 5 million deaths globally.
Economic Burden: AMR has significant economic costs. The World Bank estimates that it could lead to US1trillioninadditionalhealthcarecostsby2050andannualgrossdomesticproduct(GDP)lossesofuptoUS3.4 trillion by 2030.
Threat to Modern Medicine: AMR threatens the effectiveness of many modern medical procedures and treatments, including cancer chemotherapy, caesarean sections, organ transplants, and other surgeries, making them much riskier.
The “One Health” Approach
To effectively combat AMR, a coordinated and multisectoral “One Health” approach is essential. This unifying concept recognizes that the health of humans, animals, and the environment are inextricably linked and interdependent.
It requires collaboration across various sectors, including human health, animal health, agriculture, and the environment, to implement solutions that address the problem holistically.
The AMR Multi-Stakeholder Partnership Platform is a key initiative in this effort. Facilitated by the Quadripartite organizations the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) the platform serves as a collaborative forum.
It brings together a wide range of stakeholders to promote the responsible use of antimicrobials and combat resistance through the “One Health” lens. The platform’s work is crucial in driving global dialogue and action on AMR, ensuring diverse perspectives are reflected in policy and advocacy efforts.
For more: Antimicrobial Resistance Silent Pandemic