Bangkok: Warning: Overuse of antibiotics is causing antibiotic resistance to surge to over 70%. The government is promoting the One Health system to monitor antibiotic resistance across the entire healthcare system and advises the public to use antibiotics strictly as prescribed by doctors, following a surge in antibiotic-resistant bacteria exceeding 70%.
According to Thai News Agency, Ms. Ploytalay Laksmisangchan, Deputy Spokesperson for the Prime Minister's Office, revealed that the government, through the Department of Medical Sciences, Ministry of Public Health, in collaboration with a network of 141 hospitals in 77 provinces, is continuously monitoring antimicrobial resistance in laboratories.
Data from the national antimicrobial resistance surveillance system over the past 10 years (2015-2025) shows that the Acinetobacter calcoaceticus-baumannii complex has a resistance rate of over 70% to carbapenem-based antibiotics, considered a "last-resort antibiotic," and this rate is continuously increasing. This poses a significant risk to patients infected with this drug-resistant bacteria, potentially leading to a lack of effective treatment.
While Klebsiella pneumoniae has shown a continuous increase in carbapenem resistance over the past several years, and has a 35-45% resistance rate to third-generation cephalosporins (a group of antibiotics capable of treating many types of bacterial infections), this could impact future treatment options for patients with severe infections.
While the rate of carbapenem resistance in E. coli is still low compared to other bacteria, a relatively high rate of resistance to third-generation cephalosporins, particularly ceftriaxone and cefotaxime, has been observed. This reflects that the problem of antibiotic resistance is not confined to hospitals or healthcare systems but is beginning to spread to the community. For the general public and patients, to stop antibiotic resistance, it is crucial to strictly follow doctor's instructions regarding antibiotic use, even if symptoms improve. Furthermore, self-medication with antibiotics, stopping medication on your own, and sharing medication with others are strictly prohibited.
The government is seeking cooperation from all sectors in areas such as rational antibiotic use, infection prevention and control, laboratory surveillance, and the implementation of the One Health concept, which links the health of humans, animals, and the environment. This aims to raise awareness and slow the future increase in antibiotic resistance. The Department of Medical Sciences, Ministry of Public Health, has been tasked with continuous surveillance to support policy planning and public health responses in Thailand.