Poverty, inequalities causing antimicrobial resistance in African nations

Dr. Thomas Nyirenda, a leading health expert, is sounding the alarm on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in Malawi and Africa, citing poverty, inequality, and weak healthcare systems as key drivers.

He notes that challenges like poor sanitation, overcrowded hospitals, staff shortages, and misuse of antibiotics are fueling the spread of drug-resistant infections, making diseases like HIV, malaria, and tuberculosis harder to treat.

Malawi is on an awareness drive this week.

In sub-Saharan Africa, antibiotics are often sold without prescriptions, with rates as high as 92.3% in Tanzania and 100% in Zambia.

To combat this, Dr. Nyirenda in The Conversation publication calls for increased investment in infection control, better access to essential medicines, development of new antibiotics as well as Improved prescription practices, diagnostics, and regulations.

A recent study in Malawi (2020-2024) found high resistance rates to common antibiotics like ciprofloxacin, ampicillin, and co-trimoxazole among pathogens causing bloodstream and urinary tract infections.