Personal Stories and Global Solutions Highlight the Urgency

How AMR Affects Lives

Bhakti Chavan, a dedicated patient advocate and member of the WHO task force for AMR survivors, faced a life-changing diagnosis of Extensively Drug Resistant (XDR) TB at the age of 23 while completing her master’s degree in biotechnology in 2017. “I had to endure daily painful injections and numerous medications,” she recalls. Despite advancements in medicine, she often had to take breaks and w as frequently hospitalized due to severe side effects. Now, as an advocate for patients with drug-resistant TB, she emphasizes, “We must use new therapies wisely to prevent a scenario where no treatments are left, and drug-resistant bacteria thrive,” she stresses.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                The Role of New Drugs in Combating AMR

 New drugs offer hope but come with challenges, particularly their high cost. Prof. Laxminarayan points out, “Developing new antibiotics alone is not enough. Ensuring they are accessible and affordable is crucial. Without this, deaths from resistant bacterial infections will continue unchecked. Lowering drug development costs, similar to public-private partnerships for malaria and neglected tropical diseases, can keep antibiotics affordable. We need to adopt these strategies for antibiotic development as well.”

 Preventative Measures and Their Impact

 A Lancet study highlighted the life-saving potential of preventative measures. Improved hand hygiene and regular cleaning and sterilization of equipment could save up to 337,000 lives annually. Ensuring universal access to safe drinking water and effective sanitation could prevent approximately 247,800 deaths each year. Additionally, expanding the use of pediatric vaccines, such as those for pneumococcal diseases, and introducing new vaccines, like RSV vaccines for pregnant women, could save 181,500 lives annually.