By Eric Ssenuni
Surgical procedures are renowned for their life-saving capabilities and health benefits. However, consider a future where even routine operations, such as mending a fractured bone or delivering a baby by cesarean section, could result in fatal infections due to ineffective antibiotics.
This scenario is not a distant possibility but a real and imminent danger posed by Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) – an escalating crisis in Uganda and globally, responsible for millions of deaths each year. AMR, also referred to as antibiotic resistance in this context, develops when bacteria evolve to withstand even the most powerful medications. This unseen menace is a looming disaster, jeopardizing our health and lives daily.
It’s common practice to administer medications, including antibiotics, to patients post-surgery to prevent infections. However, when microorganisms, particularly bacteria, become resistant to drugs, these medicines lose their efficacy and fail to eliminate the pathogens. Consequently, patients who develop post-surgical infections may experience serious complications, extended recovery periods, increased medical expenses, and in worst cases, death.
Furthermore, more potent antibiotics are often expensive and may be scarce in resource-limited settings, leaving many individuals vulnerable, especially those unable to afford advanced treatments.
Regrettably, we are the architects of this impending catastrophe. The primary driver of AMR is our misuse and overuse of antibiotics. Each instance of inappropriate antibiotic use – such as taking them for viral infections like the flu (which they cannot treat), failing to complete a prescribed course, or using leftover medication – unwittingly allows bacteria to adapt and develop resistance.
AMR is further exacerbated by inadequate infection control in healthcare facilities and communities, enabling resistant bacteria to spread between individuals, improper waste disposal that releases antibiotics into the environment, exposing bacteria and fostering resistance, and limited access to new and more potent medications due to prohibitive costs or scarcity.
Reversing this trend requires collective action from everyone, regardless of their health status. Here are ways we can contribute: First, we should only use antibiotics as prescribed, completing the entire course exactly as directed by healthcare providers. Second, we must avoid self-medication, refraining from using leftover antibiotics or borrowing them from others, as this can cause more harm than good.
Supporting infection control initiatives in hospitals and our communities by adhering to standard operating procedures, such as proper hand hygiene, is crucial in combating AMR. Lastly, it’s essential to raise awareness about the dangers of AMR and prevention strategies within our communities – this information is vital for everyone.
It’s important to recognize that AMR endangers our entire healthcare system, making routine surgeries highly risky and deadly. Fortunately, this crisis is preventable. We must take immediate action to avert it. Let’s commit to responsible antibiotic use, comply with healthcare providers’ instructions, and safeguard our communities from a future where common surgical procedures are no longer safe.
The writer is an MD at Emerging Global Health Leader, MHGHD (Global Surgery) Candidate at the University of Global Health Equity
Do you have a story or an opinion to share? Email us on: [email protected] Or join the Daily Express WhatsApp channel for all the latest news and trends or join the Telegram Channel for the latest updates.
