Sana'a: The health risks associated with the irrational use of antibiotics are increasing, particularly when they are taken without a prescription or medical advice. Misuse of these medicines not only causes short-term harm but also contributes to the long-term development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, reducing the effectiveness of treatment and weakening the body's ability to fight infections and disease.
According to Yemen News Agency, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is considered one of the world's most serious silent health threats. Bacteria are increasingly becoming resistant to drugs that were once effective against them, turning minor infections into potentially life-threatening illnesses and increasing the risks associated with surgery and the treatment of chronic diseases, including cancer.
In Yemen, the problem is worsening due to the widespread sale of antibiotics without prescriptions, their indiscriminate use, and many patients' failure to complete their prescribed treatment courses. These practices accelerate the spread of antibiotic resistance and intensify its impact on public health.
As part of its responsibility to protect public health, the Health Ministry has organized several events and scientific activities promoting the proper use of medicines, particularly antibiotics. Most recently, in partnership with the Faculty of Medicine at Sana'a University, it held the First National Scientific Day on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) under the theme: "Antibiotic Resistance: From Awareness to Action."
The scientific day featured lectures on the dangers of bacterial resistance, its direct impact on surgical failure and intensive care outcomes, the current state of antimicrobial resistance in Yemen, emerging causes, and the clinical consequences of treatment failure.
The lectures stressed the importance of adhering to national and international standards for prescribing antibiotics to avoid common prescribing and usage errors. They also called for stronger public awareness efforts to curb self-medication, the irrational and excessive use of antibiotics.
The event was described as an important step forward and an opportunity to strengthen cooperation between the Faculty of Medicine at Sana'a University and the Ministry of Health, translating scientific research into practical measures that save lives.
Specialists said the main drivers of antimicrobial resistance in Yemen include over-the-counter sales without prescriptions, misdiagnosis of viral colds, and patients stopping treatment before completing the prescribed course. They warned that antibiotic resistance could return the world to a "pre-antibiotic era," where even minor infections become life-threatening.
They also emphasized the need to train doctors and pharmacists to prescribe the right antibiotic, at the right dose, for the right duration, while highlighting the community's role in supporting the "Antibiotics Are Not for Every Pain" campaign to correct common misconceptions among mothers and the public.
They further called for stronger Ministry of Health oversight of pharmacies, the inclusion of antimicrobial resistance awareness in medical school curricula, and the establishment of a national surveillance system for resistant bacteria. They stressed the need to promote the rational use of antibiotics, implement antimicrobial stewardship programs, adhere to the "Five Rights" of antibiotic prescribing, and support scientific research to develop innovative treatment solutions and alternatives.
Specialists attributed the worsening of the problem in Yemen to several key factors, most notably the circulation of smuggled medicines, the lack of laboratories capable of culturing bacteria and identifying the appropriate antibiotic, the improper prescription of antibiotics by some physicians, and limited public awareness of the dangers of using antibiotics without a medical prescription.
In this regard, Minister of Health and Environment Dr. Ali Shaiban affirmed the ministry's commitment to raising public awareness about the dangers of antimicrobial resistance, promoting the rational use of antibiotics, and combating antimicrobial resistance.
He explained that the indiscriminate use of antibiotics poses serious health risks, most notably the emergence of drug-resistant "superbugs," making even simple infections increasingly difficult to treat in the future. He added that excessive and improper use of antibiotics enables bacteria to develop resistance to the drugs used to treat infections, while also destroying beneficial gut bacteria, weakening the immune system, and causing various health problems.
He stressed the need to enhance physicians' awareness of the proper use of antibiotics, emphasizing that they should only be prescribed or dispensed when necessary and after laboratory and culture test results confirm the presence and type of bacterial infection before treatment begins.
As part of efforts to strengthen public awareness, the Ministry of Health and Environment organized a workshop at the end of last year to mark World Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness Week and highlight its impact on human and animal health.
The workshop brought together more than 250 participants, including physicians, consultants, pharmacists, academics, and representatives of the Central Laboratory, veterinary laboratories, animal health authorities, and infection control programs. Participants discussed scientific papers on the shared impact of antibiotic use on human, animal, and environmental health.
The workshop's recommendations emphasized that establishing a National Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance Program is the cornerstone of any future national intervention. The program would create a reliable national database to support decision-making and guide policies on antibiotic use, dispensing, importation, and waste management across the health, veterinary, and environmental sectors.
The recommendations also stressed the need for a comprehensive legal and regulatory framework, including legislation requiring pharmacies and healthcare facilities not to dispense antibiotics without a prescription, as well as laws regulating and prohibiting the import or use of unauthorized antibiotics in animals and issuing a list of prohibited antibiotics.
They further called for environmental legislation to prevent the indiscriminate use of antibiotics in agriculture, water, soil, and industry, while requiring healthcare facilities, veterinary institutions, and pharmaceutical manufacturers to manage pharmaceutical waste in line with the One Health approach.
The recommendations highlighted the importance of stronger coordination among relevant sectors and facilitating the work of national committees responsible for developing guidelines, regulatory protocols, and monitoring lists to safeguard public health and preserve the long-term effectiveness of medical treatments.
Antimicrobial resistance is no longer a looming challenge-it has become a growing global health crisis. Every unnecessary use of antibiotics, every incorrect prescription, and every incomplete course of treatment undermines the effectiveness of these life-saving medicines. As bacterial resistance continues to accelerate, the rational use of antibiotics, adherence to medical guidance, and greater public awareness remain the first line of defense in preserving their effectiveness and ensuring they remain a powerful weapon against disease for future generations.