Antibacterial resistance poses major challenges to hospitals in the Middle East

• Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) places a burden on healthcare systems
• Patients typically receive an antibiotic to kill the bacterial. Bacterial resistance to commonly used antibiotics has increased considerably over the past few decades
• MRSA can spread rapidly among people having close contact with those infected
• Complicated skin infections can progress extremely rapidly in severity
• Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 9th May, 2017: In the Middle East, MRSA can pose major challenges to healthcare systems due to commonly used antibiotics losing their effectiveness and certain safety issues and thereby limiting their use.  MRSA has become an endemic in this region, and the burden and the difficulty in detecting imported strains are increasing. There is also an increasing risk of domestic and global transmission.[1] MRSA in particular, has become a challenging healthcare problem leading to increased morbidity and mortality, and becoming a burden on healthcare systems and costs.

Dr. Ashraf El Houfi, Consultant ICU Dubai Hospital, Examiner for The Royal College of Physicians, Lecturer in Dubai Medical College and Chairman of The Infection Control Committee Dubai Hospital commented saying ‘’When an infection occurs, patients typically receive an antibiotic to kill the bacteria. However, over the past few decades, bacterial resistance to commonly used antibiotics has increased considerably. The gram-positive bacterium Staphylococcus Aureus is the primary causative pathogen in skin and soft tissue infections.[2] Acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections are complex and difficult-to-treat infections and can be associated with increased morbidity and mortality if not treated appropriately.’’[3]

He continued to say, ‘’Complicated skin infections can progress extremely rapidly in severity and so patients require prompt diagnosis and initiation of treatment is essential. Globally, approximately one in every five patients do not receive appropriate antibiotic therapy for MRSA skin infections.’’[4]

MRSA can spread rapidly among people having close contact with infected people. Also through indirect contact by touching objects i.e., towels, sheets, wound dressings, clothes, and equipment contaminated by the infected skin of a person with MRSA.[5] Further, patients in hospitals are more likely to contract an MRSA infection since the pathogen is often spread by healthcare staff due to insufficient hygiene measures. [6] It is crucial that certain hygiene rules are followed, particularly in the healthcare environment. This is one of the measures which the spread and infection rates of MRSA can be reduced.

Therefore, it is essential that certain hygiene rules are followed, particularly in the healthcare environment. Simple measures such as hand washing with soap, and/or using an alcohol based hand rub, wearing gloves and a gown can help to prevent the spread of infection. [7]

Enhancing infection prevention and control programs to contain healthcare acquired MRSA is important for both hospitals and community areas, along with appropriate measures designed to limit the spread and reduce the threat of MRSA carriage and infections.

On the other hand Dr. Ayman AbdulAziz Ali head of ICU Department in Sharjah University Hospital said ‘’Antibiotic stewardship is crucial to help contain the further development of the observed resistance and to help in preserving antibiotics as future therapeutic resources. [8] It is critical for countries in this region to establish both national and international initiatives to develop better measurements designed to limit and control the spread of infections.’’[9]

Within the region, Bayer Middle East has a long standing commitment and ongoing dedication to contribute to the fight against increasing antibacterial resistance, in order to ensure that physicians have effective therapies available and continue to treat patients.

As a result of antibiotics becoming a scarce resource, both physicians and patients must use them carefully in order to maintain their usefulness. This is the time now, where the need for policies and regulations for antibiotic use at the country level msut be developed as well, promoting the appropriate use of antibiotics, and increasing the awareness for both clinicians and the public on the rational and appropriate use of antibiotics. [10]

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