He said this was equivalent to 0.26% of the country’s estimated population of 33 million, based on a World Health Organization (WHO) report.

“Malaysia, along with countries such as Vietnam and the Philippines, also have their own projections. Vietnam, with a population of 98.86 million, is projected to record 296,581 deaths from AMR during the same period.

“These numbers are the result of projected simulations, not real numbers, but they give a clear impression that without more serious and comprehensive intervention measures, this threat can become a reality,” he said at a press conference here today.

AMR occurs when bacteria and other microorganisms evolve to resist the effects of antimicrobial drugs.

Dzulkefly said there was an urgent need to raise awareness and implement more comprehensive initiatives to combat AMR for the sake of the people’s well-being and the country’s economic stability.

He added Malaysia had taken proactive steps through the Malaysian Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance 2022-2026.

It focusses on raising awareness and education, strengthening surveillance and research activities, improving infection prevention and control, and promoting the responsible use of antimicrobials through multi-sector collaboration.

WHO previously declared AMR as one of the 10 major threats to global health.

If left untreated, it said, AMR could cause 5.2 million additional deaths, resulting in a cost burden of US$148 billion in the Western Pacific region by 2030.