Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is quietly creating a world where previously treatable infections, such as pneumonia or poorly healed wounds, could become fatal. Highlighted during World AMR Awareness Week, held between 18 and 24 November by the World Health Organization (WHO) and partners, the issue underscores the urgency of action. Antibiotics, which have saved millions of lives, are increasingly losing their effectiveness due to misuse, giving microorganisms the chance to develop resistance. Globally, one in six bacterial infections is now resistant to antibiotics, rising to one in five in Africa. In 2019, AMR caused 1.27 million direct deaths and contributed to nearly five million additional deaths, with projections suggesting up to 10 million annual deaths by 2050 if trends continue.
The challenge is particularly pressing in countries like Angola, where resistance affects diseases such as tuberculosis, malaria, HIV, and respiratory infections. Beyond clinical impacts, AMR poses serious economic, social, and environmental threats. It is estimated to cost the world $3.4 trillion annually by 2030 and could push 28 million people into poverty. Without effective antibiotics, medical procedures including surgery, cancer treatment, and organ transplants become significantly riskier, threatening decades of medical progress.
AMR transcends borders and sectors, affecting human health, agriculture, food production, and the environment. Indiscriminate antibiotic use in livestock and improper disposal of pharmaceutical waste contribute to the spread of resistant microorganisms. Combating the threat requires a “One Health” approach, integrating human, animal, and environmental health strategies. In September 2024, world leaders adopted a UN political declaration with targets to reduce AMR deaths by 10% by 2030, improve global surveillance, rationalize antimicrobial use, and enhance water, sanitation, and hygiene in healthcare facilities.
Angola has begun implementing these strategies. During World Antimicrobial Awareness Week, a national workshop convened the country’s “One Health” sectors—human and animal health, agriculture, and environment—to assess the AMR situation and plan interventions. This will serve as the foundation for a National Action Plan to coordinate sustainable measures against antimicrobial resistance.
Addressing AMR requires collective action. Healthcare professionals must prescribe antibiotics judiciously, while patients should follow treatment protocols and avoid self-medication. Farmers and the food industry are urged to minimize antimicrobial use and adopt best practices. Civil society and policymakers play a key role in raising awareness and enforcing responsible practices. Every decision, no matter how small, matters in combating AMR.
Without immediate and sustained action, modern medicine risks returning to a time when minor infections could be deadly. Strengthening surveillance, equipping laboratories, educating communities, and increasing funding are essential to containing this crisis. The message is clear: antimicrobial resistance affects everyone, and only through collective, coordinated efforts can it be overcome to safeguard public health and the future of medicine.
