6/24 (Tue.) Silent Pandemic (Host: Miller)

[miller]

This is Miller, the host of the coming meeting on 6/24.
In this meeting, we would like to discuss a serious pandemic but not COVID-19.
If you are interested in what matters to our life and environment, welcome to discuss it with us.

Antimicrobial Resistance(AMR) is one of the world's most serious public health threats. It also known as the silent pandemic, happens when bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites change and stop responding to medication. As a result, infections become more challenging to cure, raising the risk of a serious disease and death. Drug resistance renders antibiotics and other antimicrobial medications ineffective, making it more challenging or impossible to treat infections.
AMR is a global burden, indiscriminate of country border or income levels, and exacerbated by “lack of access to clean water, sanitation and hygiene, poor infection prevention and control in healthcare facilities, lack of awareness, and poor access to quality diagnostics, treatments and vaccines”. AMR is estimated to have contributed to over 4.95 million deaths worldwide in 2019, with an approximate economic burden of US$1 trillion in additional healthcare costs by 2050.
For instance, antibiotics were prescribed to 80%-100% of COVID-19 hospitalized patients in the United States and China during the first six months of the COVID-19 pandemic, even though they were rarely indicated at the time. Bacterial coinfections were reported in only 7%-8% of hospitalized patients and 14% of intensive care unit (ICU) patients, implying that antibiotics were frequently used inappropriately in the treatment of COVID-19.
Antimicrobial-resistant infections in healthcare facilities in the United States increased, particularly in hospitals. Hospitals cared for sicker patients who needed medical devices like catheters and ventilators more frequently and for longer periods. Hospitals also faced issues with PPE(Personal Protective Equipment) supply, staffing shortages, and longer patient visits.
Viral infections should no longer be treated with antibiotics. Using viral diagnostics and procalcitonin measurements may aid in identifying patients who can be weaned off antibiotics. Recognizing the patient's symptoms, providing symptom relief, and educating the patient about the risks associated with inappropriate antibiotic use if a viral infection is suspected.

What is Antimicrobial resistance(AMR)?
https://unric.org/en/the-global-threat- ... -pandemic/

Preventing a silent pandemic
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0j6eA-xqK-c

Session 1:
Q1. In many countries, antibiotics are overprescribed by doctors or available without prescription. Balancing patient satisfaction and medical necessity—some patients demand antibiotics even when not needed. Share your opinion with others.
Q2. The routine use of antibiotics in livestock to promote growth or prevent disease contributes to resistance.
Do you support to use antibiotics in livestock if you are the farmer? And what if you are a consumer.
Q3. Low and middle-income countries often lack access to second-line antibiotics. It can lead to resistance.
Is it fair to expect poorer nations to adopt strict antibiotic use policies?
Q4. As resistance grows, certain drugs become "last resorts". Who decides who gets access when supplies are limited. This raises bioethical concerns about rationing life-saving treatments. would you try your best to adopt the last resorts when your condition worsen?

Session 2:
Q5. Despite the severity, public and political attention is low compared to fast-acting pandemics like COVID-19.
Should AMR be treated with the same urgency as other public health emergencies?
Q6. Drug companies are reluctant to develop new antibiotics due to low profitability (short-term use vs. chronic medications). Should governments fund or incentivize antibiotic R&D?
Q7. What are your solutions to tackle silent pandemic?


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Agenda:
7:00 ~ 7:10 pm Opening Remarks / Newcomer’s Self-introduction / Grouping
(Session I)
7:10 ~ 7:50 pm Discussion Session (40 mins)
7:50 ~ 8:10 pm Summarization (20 mins)
8:10 ~ 8:15 pm Regrouping / Taking a 5 Minutes Break (Intermission)
(Session II)
8:15 ~ 8:45 pm Discussion Session (30 mins)
8:45 ~ 8:55 pm Summarization (10 mins)
8:55 ~ 9:00 pm Concluding Remarks / Announcements

Meeting Date: As shown in the Subject
Meeting Time: 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Important Notes:
1. We advise participants to print out the discussion questions and bring them to the meeting for reference. As for the supporting articles, feel free to print them out, as well, according to your preference.
2. We suggest that participants read the articles and think about the questions in advance.
3. Newcomers should prepare a two-to-three-minute self-introduction in English to deliver when called upon by the host before the start of the discussion. The host may also ask you to give brief feedback about the meeting after the meeting.
4. We conduct the entire meeting in English. All participants should have at least moderate English-conversation skills and be able to articulate their ideas for each discussion question.
5. We welcome newcomers and other guests to attend the meetings and join the discussion freely twice (including on-site and online meetings). After that, we hope you will consider becoming a YoYo English Club member. We charge a NT$1,500 (NT$1,000 for students) lifetime membership fee.

[Luis Ko]

I'm afraid this topic is a bit too difficult to disscuss.