Close

The double crisis of antimicrobial resistance in humanitarian settings

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is already a crisis in low- and middle-income countries, including Ukraine, due to weak health systems and the high burden of infectious diseases. Civil unrest and armed conflict can further accelerate its emergence and spread.
AMR in humanitarian crises

Conflict and displacement of people can lead to overcrowding, for example in bomb shelters or refugee centres, and poor infection prevention in hospitals. Water and sanitation systems can break down and the destruction of buildings can contaminate the environment with heavy metals, driving AMR.

In this piece published on the AMR Centre website, Meenakshi Gautham, the Centre's Head of Economic, Social and Political Sciences, reflects on the current conflict in Ukraine and how humanitarian emergencies can compound the crisis of AMR.

 

Short Courses

LSHTM's short courses provide opportunities to study specialised topics across a broad range of public and global health fields. From AMR to vaccines, travel medicine to clinical trials, and modelling to malaria, refresh your skills and join one of our short courses today.