Routine illnesses and medical procedures will become increasingly dangerous unless a solution is found to the spread of drug-resistant bacteria, according to a report by some of the world's top medical experts.
All countries need to build awareness about the appropriate use of antibiotics and make hygiene a public health priority, says the report, released at the World Innovation Summit for Health (WISH) in Doha.
"Antimicrobial resistance is increasing all the time and the threat it poses is real and serious," says Professor Dame Sally Davies, Chief Medical Officer of the UK and chair of an antimicrobial resistance forum at the summit, which brings together almost 1000 experts from 67 countries.
"If we are to tackle this, we need to work together to find ways to increase awareness about the unnecessary use of antibiotics but also increase and encourage research into new antibiotics and bacterial vaccines.
"Doing nothing is not an option. We need to act together and act now if we are to prevent the risks that this ever-increasing problem causes to public health." The report says drug resistance increases every time an antibiotic is used inappropriately.
"Healthcare professionals, patients, public health officials and the broader community all have a role to play.
"All stakeholders need to be aware of the severity of the antimicrobial resistance threat and of the importance of their own actions," says the report prepared by a panel including Australia's Chief Medical Officer, Professor Chris Baggoley.
"Antibiotics should be reserved for those situations in which they are the most effective way to treat infection," says the report, which also highlights the danger of using antibiotics to boost growth of farm animals.
Other areas of focus are the need for strict hygiene in hospitals and for the food industry, says the report.
* Clifford Fram is in Doha as a guest of the Qatar Foundation
