Health Experts Warn AMR Now Deadlier Than Major Diseases in Africa
By Dorothy Musyoka, Reporter, KUTVnews
Health experts have raised alarm over the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), warning that it is now responsible for more deaths in Africa than tuberculosis, malaria and HIV.
Speaking during the Kenya National AMR Conference 2026, held under the theme “Working Together to Tackle AMR in Kenya” at Serena Hotel in Mombasa, experts described AMR as a silent epidemic that claimed nearly five million lives globally during the COVID-19 pandemic period.
Professor Sam Kariuki, continental lead for the Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative and a researcher at the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), revealed that about 27.5 out of every 1,000 deaths in Africa are caused by infections resistant to antibiotics.
“AMR is not a disease you can see, but it results in death because infections like malaria, tuberculosis or typhoid cannot be treated using available antibiotics,” Prof Kariuki said.
Professor Jay Berkley, a paediatric infectious diseases specialist, emphasized the need for robust surveillance systems to monitor resistance patterns in hospitals, communities and agricultural settings.
“We need to know what is happening in our settings to find solutions. Surveillance requires organization, materials and support from ministries, hospitals and funding partners, Prof Berkley said.
He explained that resistance levels vary widely between rural health facilities and intensive care units, making it necessary to tailor treatment approaches using local data.
Dr Irungu Kamau, head of the Division of Infection Prevention and Control and Antimicrobial Resistance at the Kenya National Public Health Institute, outlined key drivers of resistance, including over-the-counter antibiotic purchases, improper veterinary practices and failure to adhere to prescriptions.
“We are exposing our bacteria and viruses to traces of antimicrobials, causing them to develop resistance that spreads between humans, animals and through the environment,” Dr Kamau said.
Prof Kariuki pointed to simple but underutilized solutions, such as proper handwashing, sanitation and hygiene, which could reduce infections by nearly 50 per cent.
Dr Abdullahi Ali, chairman of the KEMRI Board of Directors, cautioned against improper medication use, saying even common drugs such as paracetamol can cause severe liver damage if misused.
“There is nothing like half dose or quarter dose. When given a prescription, take drugs exactly as instructed,” Dr Ali said, adding that improper use of veterinary drugs also fuels resistance when contaminated meat enters the food chain.
The experts called for multi-sectoral public awareness campaigns involving political leaders, religious institutions, teachers, and grassroots communities to educate the public on antimicrobial resistance and its prevention.
Source: Health Experts Warn AMR Now Deadlier Than Major Diseases in Africa