M'sia might see deaths surge due to antimicrobial resistance - minister

Malaysia will see a projected 87,000 deaths from 2020 to 2030 if there is no intervention to combat Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), said Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad.

He said the figure is equivalent to 0.26 percent of the country’s estimated population of 33 million, based on a World Health Organization (WHO) report.

“Malaysia along with several other countries such as Vietnam and the Philippines also have their own projection data. For example, Vietnam with a population of 98.86 million is projected to record 296,581 deaths from AMR during the same period.

“These numbers are the results of projected simulations, not real numbers, but they give a clear impression that without more serious and comprehensive intervention measures, this threat can become a reality,” he said at a press conference in Kuala Lumpur today.

The Health Ministry in collaboration with the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry, WHO, and other strategic partners today launched the World Antimicrobial Awareness Week (WAAW) 2024.

According to Dzulkefly, in addition to the loss of life, antimicrobial resistance also has a big impact on the economy.

“The Western Pacific region is expected to bear an economic loss of US$148 billion (RM663 billion) due to the disease burden and economic costs associated with antimicrobial resistance,” he said.

He stressed the need to raise awareness and implement more comprehensive initiatives to combat AMR for the people’s well-being and the country’s economic stability.

Dzulkefly also said Malaysia has taken proactive steps through the Malaysian Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance 2022-2026.

It focuses on raising awareness and education, strengthening surveillance and research activities, improving infection prevention and control, and promoting the responsible use of antimicrobials through multi-sector collaboration.

Themed “Educate. Advocate. Act Now.”, WAAW 2024 emphasises the importance of education, advocacy, and immediate action in the fight against AMR.

WHO has declared AMR as one of the 10 major threats to global health.

It has a serious impact on human, animal, and environmental health. If left untreated, AMR could cause 5.2 million additional deaths and a cost burden of about US$148 billion in the Western Pacific Region by 2030.

Between 2025 and 2050, resistant bacteria are estimated to cause 39 million deaths, which is about three deaths every minute.

- Bernama

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