Antibiotic Resistance, Serious Threat To Public Health

Antibiotic resistance (Freepic)

JAKARTA - The current antibiotic resistance is one of the serious threats in the world of health, which is often referred to as a "quiet pandemic." This problem not only affects individual health, but also affects people's productivity widely.

Head of the Department of Relations of the Government Institution PB IDI, Brigadier General Retired Dr. Dr. Soroy Lardo, SPD KPTI FINASIM, explained that if antibiotic resistance was not immediately addressed, the impact would include increasing morbidity and death from infection, as well as affecting economic and social stability.

"When infections caused by antibiotic resistance cannot be controlled, work productivity at the community level will be hampered. The current global action plan for antibiotics must be able to overcome current health issues while preparing steps for the future," Soroy said in an online discussion as quoted by Antara.

To overcome the problem of antibiotic resistance, Soroy emphasized the need for a holistic approach that involves various sectors. One of the optimizable approaches is the use of modern technology such as artificial intelligence (AI) to develop more effective data-based solutions.

One Health's approach is the main strategy, by integrating human health, animal and environmental management. This involves cross-sectoral cooperation to detect risks from an early age, as well as ensuring wiser antibiotic management.

Prevention, according to Soroy, is the most important step in dealing with the threat of antibiotic resistance. These efforts include public education about the use of correct antibiotics, simulations in the field to detect initial risks, as well as the implementation of community-based programs at the village level.

"Education and prevention at the community level are essential to create prevention-oriented strategies," he added.

Soroy also highlighted the important role of human resources in the success of the antibiotic resistance control program. The competence of health workers both in terms of quality and quantity is one of the keys. On the other hand, health professional organizations also have a strategic role to bridge government policies with implementation in the field.

"With sufficient human resources and quality, we can use them as strategic partners in implementing health policies that focus on antibiotic resistance," he explained.

The antibiotic resistance is not only a challenge today, but also a serious threat to the future. Therefore, a multidisciplinary and sustainable approach is important to ensure effective control.

Joint efforts from various parties, including the government, health organizations, and the community, are expected to minimize the impact of antibiotic resistance. Community-based programs and cross-sectoral cooperation are important elements in maintaining public health in the future.

"This approach must be community-based preventive strategies so that the impact of antibiotic resistance can be managed optimally," concluded Soroy.