The Silent Pandemic: How Antimicrobial Resistance Is Threatening Zambia's Health Future

By Alain Kabinda

For decades, antibiotics have been among medicine's greatest achievements, transforming once-deadly infections into treatable illnesses and saving millions of lives worldwide. But that medical success is now under threat. Across Zambia, health experts are raising the alarm over the growing danger of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)—a silent but rapidly escalating public health crisis in which bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites are becoming resistant to the medicines designed to kill them.

As antibiotics lose their effectiveness, common infections are becoming harder and more expensive to treat, placing patients, healthcare systems, and the country's development at risk. Experts warn that unless urgent action is taken to promote the responsible use of antimicrobials, strengthen surveillance, and increase public awareness, Zambia could face a future where routine infections once again become life-threatening.

LUSAKA – Speaking to Daily News In Lusaka, a 32-year-old Grace Lungu developed what she thought was an ordinary urinary tract infection, she expected to recover within a few days. Like many Zambians, she walked into a local pharmacy, bought antibiotics she had used before, and returned home confident they would work.

Instead of improving, Grace's condition deteriorated. Her fever worsened, the pain became unbearable, and she was eventually admitted to hospital.

"I had taken the same medicine before and it worked," she recalls. "This time, nothing happened. I became weaker and eventually had to be admitted to the hospital."

"I had never heard of antimicrobial resistance," Grace says quietly. "I didn't know that taking antibiotics the wrong way could make them stop working."

Grace's story is becoming increasingly common—not only in Zambia but across the world.

Health experts describe antimicrobial resistance (AMR) as one of the greatest public health threats of the 21st century. It is often called a "silent pandemic" because, unlike disease outbreaks that capture headlines, it spreads quietly, gradually rendering life-saving medicines ineffective.

They have made surgeries safer, reduced deaths from pneumonia, protected mothers during childbirth, and cured infections that once claimed millions of lives.

Antimicrobial resistance occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites evolve and no longer respond to medicines that once killed them.

As these microorganisms become resistant, infections become harder—and sometimes impossible—to treat.

Doctors are increasingly forced to prescribe stronger, more expensive medicines, while patients spend longer in hospital and face a greater risk of death.

Experts warn that without decisive intervention Zambia could enter an era where routine infections once again become fatal.

Speaking to the Daily News, Dr. Malizgani Paul Chavula, a lecturer and researcher in the Department of Community and Family Medicine at the University of Zambia's School of Public Health, said antimicrobial resistance has quietly become one of the country's most urgent health challenges.

"Delays in action will accelerate the spread of resistance. Antimicrobials that are effective today may be ineffective tomorrow," Dr. Chavula warned.

According to him, one of the biggest drivers of antimicrobial resistance is the misuse of antibiotics by the public.

Many people continue using antibiotics to treat viral illnesses such as influenza, coughs and the common cold—even though antibiotics have no effect against viruses.

Others stop taking medication as soon as they begin feeling better, while some keep leftover antibiotics for future illnesses or share them with family members.

"The inappropriate use of antibiotics is allowing resistant organisms to emerge much faster than new medicines are being developed," Dr. Chavula explained.

Experts say antimicrobial resistance is also driven by the widespread use of antibiotics in livestock production.

Across the agricultural sector, antibiotics are often administered to poultry, cattle and fish not only to treat disease but also to promote growth and prevent infections.

While this may improve productivity, it also encourages resistant bacteria to develop and spread through food, water and the environment.

Dr. Chavula noted that this is why antimicrobial resistance is now being addressed through the One Health approach, which recognizes the close relationship between human health, animal health and environmental health.

Communities without reliable access to safe drinking water are more vulnerable to infectious diseases, leading to greater dependence on antibiotics.

Inadequate infection prevention and control in health facilities also contributes to the spread of resistant organisms.

“At the same time, many health facilities continue treating patients without laboratory confirmation because diagnostic services remain limited, instead of identifying the exact cause of illness, health workers are often forced to prescribe antibiotics based on symptoms alone.

While necessary in many situations, this practice increases unnecessary antibiotic use and accelerates resistance,” Dr. Chavula said.

Experts warn that if current trends continue, routine surgical procedures, maternal healthcare, cancer treatment and tuberculosis management could become significantly more dangerous.

Dr. Chavula believes reversing the trend requires action from every sector of society.

He also urged members of the public to use antibiotics only when prescribed by qualified health professionals, complete the full course of treatment, and never share medicines or use leftover drugs.

He added that Health Facilities must strengthen infection prevention and control measures while expanding laboratory-guided diagnosis and enforcing prescription-only antibiotic dispensing.

“The agricultural sector must also reduce unnecessary antibiotic use by improving vaccination, animal health management and biosecurity and even Communities can contribute by improving hygiene, sanitation and access to clean water, reducing the spread of infectious diseases that often require antibiotic treatment,” Dr. Chavula Added.

Dr. Chavula says Zambia's response must extend beyond the health sector.

He is calling for stronger collaboration among the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, environmental agencies, universities, healthcare institutions, regulatory bodies, the media and civil society organizations.

Together, these stakeholders can strengthen surveillance systems, improve laboratory capacity, implement Zambia's National Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance, and educate communities about responsible medicine use.

"The fight against antimicrobial resistance cannot be left to doctors alone," he said. "Every citizen has a responsibility to protect these medicines for future generations."

For Grace Lungu, surviving a drug-resistant infection changed the way she views antibiotics forever.

She now encourages friends and family to seek medical advice before taking antibiotics and to complete every prescribed course.

"I thought antibiotics would always work," she says. "Now I know they can stop working if we misuse them."

Her experience serves as a warning that antimicrobial resistance is no longer a distant scientific concern.

And unless the country acts collectively—through responsible medicine use, stronger health systems, improved sanitation, better agricultural practices and greater public awareness—the miracle medicines that transformed modern healthcare may gradually lose their power.