AMR: Africa’s Silent Pandemic Demands Urgent Action, WHO Warns
Analysis | As World Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness Week 2025 approaches, a stark warning from the World Health Organization’s African region underscores a health crisis claiming more lives than HIV/AIDS and malaria combined in sub-Saharan Africa.
The Invisible Crisis with Visible Consequences
Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) represents one of the most complex public health challenges of our time. Unlike pandemics that dominate headlines, AMR operates silently, gradually rendering life-saving medications ineffective. According to WHO African Regional Director Prof Mohamed Yakub Janabi, this isn’t a future threat—it’s causing significant morbidity and mortality right now across the continent.
The statistics are alarming: AMR caused 1.27 million deaths globally in 2019, with the highest mortality rates recorded in sub-Saharan Africa. By 2021, this number reached 1.14 million deaths directly linked to AMR worldwide, again hitting sub-Saharan Africa hardest.
Why Africa Bears the Heaviest Burden
Several factors converge to make AMR particularly devastating in Africa. The inappropriate use of antimicrobials in both humans and animals, coupled with persistent challenges in water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), creates a perfect storm for resistance to develop and spread.
“AMR is not just a health or medical issue,” explains Prof Janabi. “It is a complex, multisectoral, systems-based burden that affects everyone and all facets of our society.” This complexity demands what health experts call a “One Health” approach—recognizing that human health, animal health, and environmental health are inextricably linked.
Progress Amid the Crisis
There are signs of hope in the fight against AMR. All 47 WHO African Member States have developed multisectoral National Action Plans (NAPs) to coordinate anti-AMR efforts. WHO has trained over 220 personnel from 20 countries in leadership skills to better govern and coordinate these plans.
Additionally, 25 Member States (53%) are now registered with the Global Antimicrobial Resistance and Use Surveillance System (GLASS), providing crucial data to inform interventions and policies. Some 32 countries (68%) are implementing interventions to optimize responsible antimicrobial use in communities and healthcare facilities.
A Call to Action for Every Sector
The WHO’s message for WAAW 2025, “Act Now: Protect Our Present, Secure Our Future,” comes with specific guidance for different sectors:
Governments & Policymakers
Prioritize domestic funding for sustained implementation of National Action Plans. “Domestic resource mobilization is vital for sustaining the implementation of NAPs over the long term,” the WHO emphasizes.
Healthcare Professionals
Prescribe antimicrobials responsibly using evidence and national guidelines, practice good hand hygiene, and uphold infection prevention standards.
The Public
Avoid self-medication, never share medicines, complete full courses of prescribed medication, and practice good hygiene. “Do not buy antimicrobials from the street corners or without prescription,” warns the WHO.
Youth and Students
Use social media to raise awareness, fight misinformation, and inspire responsible behavior. “You matter, and your voice can effect change,” the WHO message encourages.
The Path Forward
The collaboration between WHO, FAO, UNEP, WOAH, Africa CDC and AU-IBAR creates a unified continental front against AMR. Through what Prof Janabi describes as “One Health action, innovation, and accountability,” there’s hope for mitigating this silent pandemic.
As World Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness Week 2025 approaches from November 18-24, the message is clear: AMR is everyone’s business, and doing nothing is not an option. The time to act is now.