Guyana urges global response to combat antimicrobial resistance

– could result in 10 million deaths annually by 2050

Guyana’s Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony, issued a powerful call for international cooperation to address the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) at the Plenary Segment of the High-Level Meeting on Anti-Microbial Resistance during the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York City.
Speaking during a high-level meeting on Thursday, Minister Anthony stressed the devastating impact AMR could have on global health, economies, and food security if left unchecked.
AMR occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites evolve to resist the effects of antimicrobial drugs, such as antibiotics, antifungals, and antivirals. This makes infections harder to treat, increases the risk of spreading diseases, and leads to higher mortality rates.
Dr. Anthony highlighted the grave reality of AMR, stating, “AMR is gradually undoing the progress we have achieved in medicine over the past century. In 2019 alone, AMR resulted in at least 1.27 million deaths worldwide, surpassing deaths from HIV and malaria.”
He further emphasised the economic toll, citing World Bank estimates that project AMR could cost between $1 trillion and $3.4 trillion in GDP losses per year by 2030, with healthcare costs alone reaching $1 trillion by 2050.
The Minister warned that infections are becoming harder to treat, and routine medical procedures are becoming increasingly risky due to resistant bacteria. The World Health Organisation (WHO) predicts AMR could cause up to 10 million deaths annually by 2050.
Dr. Anthony underscored that this crisis: “does not discriminate between the developed and developing nations”, and called for global solidarity in implementing action plans, investing in new medicines, and ensuring the responsible use of antibiotics.
Guyana has taken a proactive stance, developing a five-year national action plan to combat AMR. This plan not only supports the country’s healthcare system but also strengthens the CARICOM’s response to AMR. Dr. Anthony expressed Guyana’s commitment to global health security, saying, “We look forward to working with like-minded partners to make a difference.”
As the world stands at a critical turning point, Dr. Anthony urged countries to unite and use this new political declaration to create a future where antibiotics remain effective, infections can be treated, and economies can thrive.
“Together, we will make a difference through a comprehensive, coordinated, and sustained global response to AMR”, he said.
Just a month ago, the Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) and the WHO, held a two-day national workshop addressing the rise of AMR in the country.
The workshop aimed to develop a National AMR Strategy to combat this growing concern.