Stop the over-prescription, and misuse of antibiotics soon-this is the plea of experts of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development. This cry poured out after their studies show thousands of people will die by 2050 due to antibacterial resistance.
Research conducted by OECD showed "drug-resistant infections could kill 2.4 million people in Europe, North America and Australia over the next 30 years," as posted by The Sun.
As of the writing, antibiotic resistance statistics show 2,126 Britons are suffering from untreatable infections because of antibiotic resistance alone. What's more concerning is the number of deaths in connection to this is still increasing, and the rate is fast. If people don't do something about it, by 2050 OECD said the number of death would increase to 90,045 in the UK alone.
Antibiotic resistance is now considered a medical emergency not just in the said countries, but in all corners of the world. According to Belfast Telegraph, the present mortality rates are already high in low and middle-income countries. High-income countries, on the other hand, are also not exempted from this. Italy, Portugal, and Greece top the list that has the most deaths due to it.
"Drug-resistant superbugs are on the rise worldwide and represent a fundamental threat to global health and development. This report provides yet further evidence that investing to tackle the problem now will save lives and deliver big pay-offs in the future," said Tim Jinks, head of the Wellcome Trust's Drug-Resistant Infections Priority Programme.
Jinks also emphasized how crucial it is for people to take the statistics gathered by OECD seriously. According to him, it's still not too late. There is still a way to revert what is about to happen.
England recently launched a campaign, which can help alter the possible situation. This campaign refrain people from asking medications, such as an antibiotic, which they don't need. Antibiotics are created to combat serious bacterial infection, but unfortunately, most people used it to address common health problems such as sore throats and colds. Experts advise people not to use antibiotics unless badly needed.
Aside from proper use and dosage of antibiotic medication, one way a person can get away from these drugs is by proper hygiene. OECD reminds people to always be hygienic in everything they do. Even just by a simple gesture like washing their hands before eating can create a huge difference.
