Antimicrobial resistance

a potential threat to attaining sustainable development goals

Abstract

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a phenomenon when microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, viruses and parasites change when they are exposed to antimicrobial drugs  including antibiotics, antifungals, antivirals, antimalarials and antihelmintics (WHO 2016). Although microbes have been evolving the ways to resist antibiotics since their introduction before 80 years and has become a global emergency (Chajer et al. 2014; Toner et al. 2014).

Obviously, in the absence of effective antimicrobials for prevention and treatment of infections, medical procedures and major surgery becomes high risk (WHO 2016). More interestingly, AMR if continued unabated not only could erode gains of Millennium Development Goals but also a potential threat to achieving the United Nation's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Due to the threat of AMR to humanity, the World Health Assembly (May 2015) endorsed a global action plan to tackle AMR (WHO 2016).