Cyprus is among the many EU international locations with the very best antibiotic consumption and charges of antimicrobial resistance, Well being Minister Michael Damianos said on Friday throughout a press convention for a marketing campaign selling accountable and rational antibiotic use.
Forward of European Antibiotic Consciousness Day, marked yearly on November 18, the well being ministry is launching a marketing campaign aimed toward tackling antimicrobial resistance, with the goal of elevating consciousness about the issue amongst each members of the general public and well being professionals.
“Cyprus, sadly, is among the many European international locations with the very best antibiotic use and charges of antimicrobial resistance,” Damianos stated, noting that antimicrobial resistance was answerable for almost 35,000 deaths within the EU in 2020. With out efficient measures, it’s estimated that by 2050, antimicrobial resistance will trigger extra deaths than most cancers.
Damianos added that extreme use of antibiotics results in the event of antimicrobial resistance, “which constitutes a serious risk to public well being with incalculable penalties.”
In consequence, there may be an outbreak of infections from multi-resistant microorganisms, a rise in morbidity, in size of hospitalisation and mortality of sufferers, “and an elevated monetary burden on well being methods.”
In keeping with the well being minister, “a prudent and accountable use of antibiotics can curb the rising antimicrobial resistance”, whereas their correct use and the preservation of their effectiveness is everybody’s duty.
He additionally stated that folks mustn’t take antibiotics on their very own initiative however ought to seek the advice of their physician and observe their directions.
Damianos famous the problem of antibiotic resistance was “a high precedence” for the ministry which is within the strategy of getting ready and implementing a complete Nationwide Motion Plan to handle Antimicrobial Resistance and Hospital-acquired Infections in collaboration with different competent our bodies.
Stressing the significance of the right and applicable use of antibiotics in addressing antimicrobial resistance, the consultant of the Epidemiological Surveillance and Management of Infectious Ailments Unit of the well being ministry Dr Linos Hadjihannas, stated that the European Fee has recognised antimicrobial resistance “as some of the severe threats to public well being.”
Hadjihannas referred to the creation of an digital platform for the surveillance of hospital antibiotic consumption and hospital infections.
“An estimated 700,000 folks die globally yearly from infections attributable to multi-resistant microbes.
“Within the EU/EEA there are over 670,000 infections per yr from multi-resistant microbes, with the variety of related deaths amounting to 33,000 per yr.”
