Cyprus is among the EU countries with the highest antibiotic consumption and rates of antimicrobial resistance, Health Minister Michael Damianos stated on Friday during a press conference for a campaign promoting responsible and rational antibiotic use.
Ahead of European Antibiotic Awareness Day, marked every year on November 18, the health ministry is launching a campaign aimed at tackling antimicrobial resistance, with the aim of raising awareness about the problem among both members of the public and health professionals.
“Cyprus, unfortunately, is among the European countries with the highest antibiotic use and rates of antimicrobial resistance,” Damianos said, noting that antimicrobial resistance was responsible for nearly 35,000 deaths in the EU in 2020. Without effective measures, it is estimated that by 2050, antimicrobial resistance will cause more deaths than cancer.
Damianos added that excessive use of antibiotics leads to the development of antimicrobial resistance, “which constitutes a major threat to public health with incalculable consequences.”
As a result, there is an outbreak of infections from multi-resistant microorganisms, an increase in morbidity, in length of hospitalisation and mortality of patients, “and an increased financial burden on health systems.”
According to the health minister, “a prudent and responsible use of antibiotics can curb the growing antimicrobial resistance”, while their proper use and the preservation of their effectiveness is everyone’s responsibility.
He also said that people should not take antibiotics on their own initiative but should consult their doctor and follow their instructions.
Damianos noted the issue of antibiotic resistance was “a top priority” for the ministry which is in the process of preparing and implementing a comprehensive National Action Plan to address Antimicrobial Resistance and Hospital-acquired Infections in collaboration with other competent bodies.
Stressing the importance of the correct and appropriate use of antibiotics in addressing antimicrobial resistance, the representative of the Epidemiological Surveillance and Control of Infectious Diseases Unit of the health ministry Dr Linos Hadjihannas, said that the European Commission has recognised antimicrobial resistance “as one of the most serious threats to public health.”
Hadjihannas referred to the creation of an electronic platform for the surveillance of hospital antibiotic consumption and hospital infections.
“An estimated 700,000 people die globally every year from infections caused by multi-resistant microbes.
“In the EU/EEA there are over 670,000 infections per year from multi-resistant microbes, with the number of associated deaths amounting to 33,000 per year.”
