Pakistan’s AMR Alarm: New Pathogen List Pushes Healthcare to Act Now

Introduction

Pakistan is facing a growing challenge as antimicrobial resistance continues to rise. During World Antimicrobial Awareness Week (WAAW) 2025, the National Institute of Health (NIH) and the World Health Organization (WHO) introduced the country’s first National Priority Pathogen List, marking a major step in understanding and tackling AMR risks across the healthcare system.

A Growing Health Crisis

Antimicrobial resistance is accelerating due to widespread misuse of antibiotics in human healthcare, agriculture and veterinary settings. Without immediate action, projections show Pakistan could see more than 63,000 deaths directly caused by resistant infections and over 262,000 related deaths each year by 2050.

Health experts highlight several reasons behind this rise, including unnecessary antibiotic prescriptions, easy over-the-counter access, weak infection control, and heavy antimicrobial use in livestock and farming.

Why the New Pathogen List Matters

The new National Priority Pathogen List is one of the first eight created worldwide and gives Pakistan a clear framework for smarter decision-making. Hospitals, laboratories and regulatory bodies can now focus their resources on bacteria that pose the highest AMR risks.

Globally, AMR could claim up to 10 million lives annually by 2050 and cause massive economic loss. WHO’s representative in Pakistan noted that every five minutes, two people in the country die from infections linked to resistant pathogens — deaths that could be prevented through better practices.

Community Engagement and Awareness

To mark World Antimicrobial Awareness Week, WHO and NIH held an AMR awareness walk in Islamabad, bringing together healthcare workers, policymakers, farmers and the general public. The theme “Act Now: Protect Our Present, Secure Our Future” encouraged communities to rethink antibiotic use and reduce avoidable AMR risks.

A student poster competition also highlighted how younger generations can help shift attitudes around antibiotic misuse and hygiene.

A Call for Collective Action

Health authorities stress that controlling antimicrobial resistance requires strong coordination between healthcare providers, agriculture, education and households. Responsible antibiotic use, stronger infection control and improved national surveillance are essential steps to slow the spread of resistant infections.

Source: Medical News Pakistan