Global Strategies

Dr. Gro Harlem Brundtland, the former director general of the World Health Organization (WHO), described efforts being made. In the Report on Infectious Diseases 2000, "Overcoming Antimicrobial Resistance," she pointed to a need to develop "a global strategy to contain resistance " of germs. She also spoke of building "alliances involving all health care providers," Emphasizing: "We have an opportunity to launch a massive effort against infectious diseases."

In 2001, WHO proposed a "Global Strategy for Containment of Antimicrobial Resistance." This document presented a plan directed to health -care providers and people in general regarding "what to do and how to do it." The strategy included educating people on how to avoid getting sick, as well as providing instruction to them on how to use antibiotics and other antimicrobials when they get an infection. In addition, health-care workers - doctors and nurses as well as others working in hospitals and nursing homes - were urged to take better measures to avoid the spread of infection. Sadly, studies have revealed that many health professionals still neglect to wash their hands or change gloves between patients.

Surveys have also shown that doctors prescribe antibiotics when they shouldn't. One reason for this is that people pressure their doctor to give an antibiotic as a quick cure. So doctors comply, simply to please patients. Often doctors neither take the time to educate their patients nor have the means available to identify the infecting germ. Also, they may prescribe newer but more expensive broad-spectrum antibiotics. And this too contributes to the drug - resistant problem.

Other areas addressed in WHO's Global Strategy are hospitals, national health systems, food producers, pharmaceutical companies and lawmakers. The report encourages cooperation among all of them in order to combat the global menace of drug resistant germs. But will such a program work?

Next time: Obstacles To Success