The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that at least two million people die every year due to antimicrobial resistance globally.
This was announced by the Erongo Regional Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Leonard Kabongo, during the official launch of World Antimicrobial Awareness Week held at Swakopmund.
World Antimicrobial Awareness Week this year is commemorated under the theme "Act now: Protect our present, secure our future."
According to Dr. Kabongo, WHO further estimates that by 2050, close to 10 million lives could be lost worldwide due to antimicrobial resistance.
"This will occur within the next 25 years. You know, when we were talking about Vision 2030, we thought it was very far, right? We are there right now, so 2050 is not far; it's just around the corner, and if we don't act now, we might be faced with an unprecedented global threat."
Dr. Kabongo emphasised that Namibia needs to strengthen its infection prevention and control measures across all health facilities.
He cautioned those in the medical field against neglecting or forgetting basic hygiene practices.
"We touch patients in between without washing our hands; we get into sterile environments without sterile clothing or as required; we don't follow protocols because we get used to it, just like antimicrobial resistance that gets used to the antibiotics and becomes resistant."
Walvis Bay community pharmacist Thomas Huber said Namibia has already begun to see the effects of antimicrobial resistance.
"Our patients are receiving antimicrobial therapy and coming back without having their infections cleared. Hospitals are having to use stronger, more expensive, and more toxic drugs to save patients from microbial infections. Families have started losing loved ones to conditions we once deemed curable."
Huber stressed that antibiotics should only be taken when prescribed by a healthcare provider and should never be shared.
He called on the government and policymakers to continue strengthening surveillance, promoting infection control, and adopting evidence-based treatment guidelines.
The Health Directorate also awarded certificates of appreciation to healthcare workers from district hospitals across the Erongo Region.
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) occurs when microorganisms like bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites evolve to resist the drugs designed to kill them, such as antibiotics.