About The Danger Of Antimicrobial Resistance Threats, Doctor: Similar To The Senyap Pandemic

Illustration. (Pexels)

JAKARTA - Antimicrobial resistance is a condition of reduced ability of antimicrobial drugs to kill or inhibit the growth of microbes such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites in the patient's body.

The use of antimicrobial drugs, including antibiotics and antifrugs, which are inappropriate in terms of indications, doses, and methods of giving, can lead to antimicrobial resistance conditions.

Recently, the World Health Organization (WHO) registered the ten most important health issues in the world, one of which included antimicrobial resistance. According to WHO, AMR's condition caused around 1.27 million deaths worldwide in 2019.

Anesthesia specialist consultant intensive care dr. Pratista Hendrajana, SpAn-KIC warns of the dangers of antimicrobial resistance (antimicicrobial resistance/AMR) which can pose a serious threat because it is often not realized like a silent pandemic.

"The resistance of antimicrobials is a serious threat that is rarely realized, like a silent pandemic. In fact, this condition can occur anywhere, including in hospitals that are closely monitored, such as in intensive care units (ICU)," said the doctor who is a member of the Indonesian Intensive Care Doctors Association (PERDICI) in a press statement in Jakarta, Wednesday, quoted from ANTARA, June 28.

Pratista explained that patients treated in the ICU are in critical condition and usually have a weak immune system. This makes them vulnerable to AMR risks.

He did not forget to remind that the use of antibiotics and anti-fimals, including in the ICU, must always be done rationally and wisely. This is to prevent the risk of patients experiencing AMR.

He added that AMR's condition could lead to more difficult to cure infections, longer treatment times, and greater hospitalization costs.

Health workers have an important role in efforts to prevent antimicrobial resistance in the ICU. In addition, Pratista also sees the need for the role of patients and family members accompanying treatment in hospitals.

"Effective communication between patients or their family members and health workers can help reduce the risk of antimicrobial resistance in the ICU, even improve the quality of treatment in general," he said.

Pratista emphasized that patients and their families have the right to ask health workers. They also have the right to adequate information and education regarding the reasons, types, doses, length of use, benefits, and risks related to the use of antimicrobials in the ICU.

In addition, Pratista added, health workers are also obliged to provide all information to patients and close relatives regarding patient disease based on diagnosis, medical action that needs to be done and complications that may occur, as well as alternative medical actions and their risks.