Group warns of soaring deaths from antimicrobial resistance

A group, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (ACDC), has warned that soaring deaths could occur due to antimicrobial resistance.

In a new report, ACDC alerted the public about the increasing likelihood of falling ill or dying from diseases that resist treatment, stating that this has escalated in Africa, with children and other vulnerable groups being most at risk.

“The continent faces the highest mortality rate from antimicrobial resistance, with 27.3 deaths per 100,000—exceeding the combined death toll from HIV-AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria,” the African Union Landmark Report, launched on Thursday at the Africa CDC headquarters, revealed.

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According to the report, Africa bears a significant burden of infectious diseases, accounting for approximately 95 per cent of malaria deaths, 70 per cent of people living with HIV, and 25 per cent of TB deaths globally.

“We must not ignore this silent threat that disproportionately impacts the most vulnerable among us,” said Africa CDC Deputy Director-General, Dr. Raji Tajudeen.

“AMR occurs when microorganisms like bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites develop resistance to antimicrobial drugs, a process hastened by human behaviours such as the misuse and overuse of these drugs in healthcare, agriculture, and food systems.”

Tajudeen explained that this renders antibiotics and other antimicrobials less effective, causing treatment failures, increased disease spread, severe illness, disability, and higher mortality rates.

“Despite the estimated $2.6bn needed annually for an effective AMR response across Africa, current funding is only a tenth of that allocated to other major diseases,” he stated.

“This underfunding makes AMR a significant barrier to sustainable development, hindering progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals and the African Union’s Agenda 2063.

“An estimated 700,000 people die annually from drug-resistant infections globally. Without timely intervention, this number is projected to reach 10 million by 2050, with Africa accounting for 4.5 million,” a statement by the Africa CDC noted.

“Fighting disease requires resources, and working with member states and our partners, we need to do all we can to save lives.”

Also, at the event, the director of the African Union-InterAfrican Bureau for Animal Resources, Dr. Huyam Salih, spoke about the critical role the AU must play in combating AMR.

“Antimicrobial resistance is not just a health issue—it is a threat to our agrifood systems, food safety, food security, livelihoods, and economies,” Salih said.

“By 2050, global healthcare costs could exceed $1tn per year, and livestock production could decline by 2.6 per cent to 7.5 per cent annually due to AMR.

“In Africa, the situation is particularly alarming, with 37 countries reporting the prevalence of AMR in animal farms, yet only 16 per cent of African countries are conducting routine AMR surveillance in animals as of 2023.”