WHO Reports One Million Deaths from Antimicrobial Resistance

During an online press briefing, the WHO revealed that antimicrobial resistance (AMR) causes approximately one million deaths each year. Dr. Jean-Pierre Nyemazi, Acting Director of the WHO Department of Antimicrobial Resistance, highlighted the global threat posed by resistant pathogens, which can easily cross borders.

He called for a comprehensive approach to infection prevention to mitigate the emergence and spread of resistant microbes. Dr. Nyemazi noted that an updated Global Action Plan on AMR was approved by WHO Member States at the World Health Assembly in May 2026.

He urged national governments to strengthen primary healthcare networks for accurate diagnosis and treatment, enforce laws against inappropriate antibiotic dispensing, and utilize digital technologies to improve pharmaceutical supply chain accountability. Rob Purdie, an AMR survivor, shared his experience with an antifungal-resistant infection.

Martin Häusling, a Member of the European Parliament, criticized the misuse of critical medicines in livestock and clinical settings. The WHO announced that World AMR Awareness Week will take place from 18 to 24 November 2026.