Amanze Chinonye
The World Health Organization (WHO) has raised alarm over growing global resistance to commonly used antibiotics, warning that one in six bacterial infections recorded in 2023 no longer responds to standard treatment.
The new Global Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance Report 2025 reveals that resistance increased in more than 40 percent of pathogen-antibiotic combinations tracked between 2018 and 2023, with annual growth rates of between five and fifteen percent. Drawing data from over 100 countries through the WHO’s Global Antimicrobial Resistance and Use Surveillance System (GLASS), the report cautions that the declining effectiveness of antibiotics poses a mounting threat to global health.
“Antimicrobial resistance is outpacing advances in modern medicine, threatening the health of families worldwide,” said Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “We must use antibiotics responsibly, ensure access to quality diagnostics and vaccines, and invest in next-generation medicines.”
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According to WHO, resistance rates are highest in the South-East Asia and Eastern Mediterranean regions, where one in three infections were found to be resistant. In the African region, one in five infections showed resistance. The problem is particularly severe in countries with weak health systems and limited laboratory capacity, where antibiotics are often misused or administered without proper diagnosis.
The report identifies drug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria as the most critical threat, particularly Escherichia coli (E. Coli) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (K. Pneumoniae) two of the leading causes of bloodstream infections that can lead to sepsis, organ failure, and death. More than 40 percent of E. Coli and 55 percent of K. Pneumoniae infections worldwide are now resistant to third-generation cephalosporins, the first-line treatment for such infections. In some parts of Africa, resistance exceeds 70 percent.
WHO further warned that resistance is also spreading to other essential life-saving antibiotics, including carbapenems and fluoroquinolones drugs often used as last-resort treatments. The rise in carbapenem resistance, once considered rare, has sharply reduced available treatment options, forcing health workers to rely on more expensive and less accessible alternatives.
Despite the worsening trend, the report notes that global monitoring has improved significantly. Country participation in WHO’s GLASS platform has expanded from 25 nations in 2016 to 104 in 2023. However, nearly half of WHO member states still failed to report AMR data last year, and many lacked the infrastructure to produce reliable surveillance figures.
The WHO report follows the 2024 United Nations General Assembly’s political declaration on antimicrobial resistance, which urged countries to adopt a “One Health” approach integrating human, animal, and environmental health strategies to address the crisis. WHO has called on all countries to submit high-quality data on antimicrobial resistance and antibiotic use to GLASS by 2030, and to align national treatment guidelines with local resistance trends.
“Our future depends on strengthening systems that prevent, diagnose and treat infections,” Dr. Tedros added. “Without urgent action, infections that are now easily treatable could once again become deadly.”
The report is accompanied by new digital content through the GLASS dashboard, offering global and regional data summaries, national profiles, and insights into antimicrobial use. WHO says the platform will help policymakers identify hotspots, track progress, and implement evidence-based interventions.
Health experts warn that without decisive global action, the world could face a “post-antibiotic era” in which routine surgeries, cancer treatments, and childbirth become far riskier due to untreatable infections.
Amanze Chinonye is a Staff Correspondent at Prime Business Africa, a rising star in the literary world, weaving captivating stories that transport readers to the vibrant landscapes of Nigeria and the rest of Africa. With a unique voice that blends with the newspaper's tradition and style, Chinonye's writing is a masterful exploration of the human condition, delving into themes of identity, culture, and social justice. Through her words, Chinonye paints vivid portraits of everyday African life, from the bustling markets of Nigeria's Lagos to the quiet villages of South Africa's countryside . With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the complexities of Nigerian society, Chinonye's writing is both a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage and a powerful call to action for a brighter future. As a writer, Chinonye is a true storyteller, using her dexterity to educate, inspire, and uplift readers around the world.
