**WHO Warns of Global Rise in Antibiotic-Resistant Infections in Hospitals**

*By Snehil Singh | Oct 13, 2025, 04:11 PM*

The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a stark warning about the rising prevalence of antibiotic-resistant infections in hospitals worldwide. According to data gathered from over 23 million bacterial infections across 104 countries, one in six laboratory-confirmed bacterial infections was resistant to antibiotic treatments in 2023.

### Alarming Loss of Antibiotic Effectiveness

Between 2018 and 2023, more than 40% of antibiotics lost their effectiveness against common infections affecting the blood, gut, urinary tract, and sexually transmitted diseases. This growing resistance threatens the success of treatments and puts patients’ lives at risk globally.

### Regional Disparities and Impact

The problem is most severe in low- and middle-income countries where healthcare systems tend to be weaker. Dr. Yvan Hutin, director of the WHO’s Department of Antimicrobial Resistance, described the findings as “deeply concerning,” emphasizing that “we are running out of treatment options and we are putting lives at risk.”

In particular, antibiotic resistance was found in:

– One in three bacterial infections in Southeast Asia and the Eastern Mediterranean regions.
– One in five bacterial infections in Africa.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) occurs when bacteria evolve to withstand drugs designed to kill them, making infections harder to treat.

### The Growing Toll of Drug-Resistant Infections

In 2021 alone, bacterial infections caused 7.7 million deaths worldwide. Of these, 4.71 million were linked to drug resistance, and 1.14 million were directly attributable to antibiotic-resistant infections.

### Treatment Challenges: The Threat of Gram-Negative Bacteria

The WHO report highlights particular concern about gram-negative bacteria such as *Escherichia coli* and *Klebsiella pneumoniae*, which are commonly responsible for severe infections leading to sepsis, organ failure, and death.

Dr. Hutin noted that 40% of *E. coli* and more than 55% of *K. pneumoniae* strains are now resistant to third-generation cephalosporins—the preferred first-line treatment for these infections. In the African region, resistance in these bacteria often exceeds 70%, posing significant treatment challenges.

### Urgent Calls for Action

Experts warn that if unchecked, antimicrobial resistance could reach a critical tipping point. Dr. Manica Balasegaram from the Global Antibiotic Research and Development Partnership projects that deaths caused by drug-resistant infections could rise sharply by 70% by 2050.

To combat this growing threat, Professor Sanjib Bhakta of University College London advocates for tailored global action, which includes:

– Strengthening surveillance of antibiotic resistance.
– Ensuring equitable access to narrow-spectrum antibiotics.
– Investing in research to develop novel therapies against drug-resistant bacteria.

The WHO’s alarming report underscores the urgent need for coordinated international efforts to address antibiotic resistance and safeguard the future of effective infection treatment worldwide.
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