The World Health Organization (WHO) has launched a new global blueprint to help countries tackle the growing threat of fungal diseases and antifungal resistance, which affect more than 300 million people annually.
The guidance outlines practical steps to strengthen national responses through improved surveillance, diagnostics, antifungal stewardship, research, and workforce training. It also promotes a One Health approach to address the environmental, agricultural, and social drivers of fungal infections.
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The blueprint focuses on four priority areas: strengthening health systems, expanding access to antifungal medicines and diagnostics, improving laboratory and surveillance capacity, and addressing broader social and environmental factors. It is designed to support policymakers, healthcare professionals, researchers, and global health partners in reducing the burden of fungal diseases worldwide.
“Fungal disease and antifungal resistance remain an under addressed priority across national health plans, AMR strategies, and surveillance systems. This Blueprint provides countries with a practical framework to strengthen their response,” said Hatim Sati, Technical Officer in the Department of Antimicrobial Resistance at WHO, who led the development of the Blueprint.
