Biorism’s research, featured in New Straits Times, highlights the growing challenge of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) globally and in Malaysia, with insights from Dr Woon Jia Jie, Research and Development Manager at Biorism Holdings Sdn Bhd, and Dr Cindy Teh Shuan Ju from Universiti Malaya’s Medical Microbiology Department.
This article was originally published by New Straits Times
Meera@nst.com.my — (New Straits Times) — 11 Feb 2026
AMR occurs when microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi develop the ability to survive drugs meant to kill them, making infections harder and more expensive to treat, often leading to longer hospital stays and increased risk of spread within communities and healthcare facilities.
The rapid global spread of resistant organisms is accelerated by travel, trade, and food systems. Multi-drug resistant organisms (MDROs), resistant to three or more antibiotic families, are increasingly prevalent in Malaysian hospitals, placing significant pressure on infection prevention and control measures.
According to Dr Cindy Teh Shuan Ju, this issue is not unique to Malaysia; neighboring countries report similar trends, with vulnerable groups such as children and the elderly most at risk of severe, recurrent infections.
Dr Woon Jia Jie emphasizes that AMR remains widely underestimated because antibiotics have been widely effective and accessible for decades, which has normalized their routine use and contributed to misuse.
Strengthening infection control strategies—including intensified surveillance, isolation protocols, and environmental decontamination—alongside promoting responsible antimicrobial use, are critical steps to address this pressing health threat.
This article summarises content originally published by New Straits Times. Read the full article [here].