Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) continues to pose a significant public health challenge across Africa, leading to prolonged hospital stays, higher medical costs, and increased mortality rates.
The World Health Organization (WHO) Africa has emphasized the critical role of safe water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) in mitigating this growing threat.
In a recent statement, WHO Africa highlighted that inadequate access to clean water and proper sanitation contributes to the spread of drug-resistant infections.
These infections, often caused by bacteria that no longer respond to commonly used antibiotics, have strained healthcare systems across the continent.
"Improving access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene can prevent drug-resistant infections, save lives, and reduce health costs," WHO Africa noted in its advocacy campaign.
AMR has emerged as a silent pandemic, with global estimates indicating that drug-resistant infections claim millions of lives annually.
In Africa, where healthcare infrastructure in some areas remains underdeveloped, the impact of AMR is particularly severe. Patients often require more expensive and intensive treatments due to the ineffectiveness of standard antibiotics, further burdening families and healthcare systems.
Experts have called for urgent investment in WASH infrastructure to curb the spread of resistant infections.
Initiatives that promote clean water supply, improve sanitation in healthcare facilities, and educate communities on hygiene practices are essential in reducing the incidence of AMR.
The WHO has also urged governments and international organizations to integrate WASH programs into broader health strategies, emphasizing that access to clean water is a fundamental right and a cornerstone of infection prevention.
As antimicrobial resistance continues to rise, improving WASH infrastructure offers a cost-effective and life-saving solution to address the crisis.
WHO's message serves as a reminder that public health interventions must go beyond treatment to include preventive measures that address root causes.
