By Faridat Salifu
Dr. Soumya Swaminathan, Chairperson of the MS Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF) and former Chief Scientist at the World Health Organisation (WHO), has highlighted the urgent need for an integrated approach to confront the intricate relationship between climate change and drug resistance.
Speaking at the recent WomenLift Health Global Conference 2024 in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, Dr. Swaminathan emphasized the pressing nature of addressing these interconnected global health challenges.
Climate change, primarily driven by human activities such as fossil fuel consumption and deforestation, is causing significant environmental impacts, leading to long-term shifts in atmospheric conditions.
Simultaneously, drug resistance, particularly in diseases like Tuberculosis (TB), has emerged as a formidable threat to healthcare systems worldwide, fueled by factors such as inappropriate prescriptions and antibiotic overuse.
Dr. Swaminathan underscored the multifaceted rise in drug resistance, attributing it to various factors including healthcare practices, veterinary and agricultural antibiotic use, and environmental contamination.
Drawing attention to the nexus between climate change and antimicrobial resistance, she warned of the potential for rising temperatures and shifting climate patterns to exacerbate the spread of infectious diseases and the emergence of drug-resistant strains.
Advocating for a One Health approach, Dr. Swaminathan stressed the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health in effectively addressing these challenges.
She called for coordinated global and national efforts to combat drug resistance and mitigate the health impacts of climate change.
Key recommendations included the development of standards and guidelines for antibiotic use, strengthening healthcare systems, and enhancing surveillance and response mechanisms for infectious diseases.
Dr. Swaminathan emphasized the importance of sustained investment in health infrastructure, workforce training, and research to build resilient health systems capable of addressing emerging threats.
Furthermore, she highlighted the necessity of domestic financing for health, alongside continued international support, particularly for low and middle-income countries grappling with resource constraints.