Environmental Dimensions of Antimicrobial Resistance
Recently the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) has released a report titled “Environmental Dimensions of Antimicrobial Resistance: AMR”.
AMR is the ability of a microorganism (such as bacteria, viruses, and some parasites) to prevent antimicrobial drugs (such as antibiotics, antivirals, and anti-malarial) from working against itself.
Key findings of this report:
- By 2050, 10 million people could die every year due to AMR.
- By 2030, AMR could reduce GDP by $3.4 trillion per year. Also, an additional 24 crore people could be pushed into the category of extreme poverty.
Major sources of AMR:
- Low level of sanitation, sewage and waste effluents: seepage from open dumping and urban waste effluents etc.
- Effluent and related waste from pharmaceutical manufacturing units.
- Effluents and related wastes from health facilities: Antimicrobial products and wastes present in hospital waste, resistant microorganisms etc.
- Use of antimicrobials and fertilizers in crop production: Use of fungicides, herbicides, heavy metals and antibiotics, untreated manure and waste water etc.
- Effluents and wastes from animal husbandry: Improper disposal of unused drugs, antibiotic use in aquaculture, etc.
Suggestions in the report:
- Improving environmental governance, planning and regulatory framework
- Identification and targeting of AMR related pollutants on priority basis.
- Improve reporting, surveillance and monitoring.
- Prioritizing financing, innovation and capacity development.
Source – The Hindu
