WHO Highlights Urgent Need for Better Treatments and Diagnostics for Fungal Infections

New Delhi : The World Health Organization (WHO) has released its first-ever report on the critical shortage of treatments and diagnostic tools for invasive fungal infections. The report emphasizes the growing public health challenge posed by fungal diseases, which are becoming increasingly resistant to treatment and disproportionately affect vulnerable populations, including cancer patients, those living with HIV, and organ transplant recipients.

Fungal infections, such as candida, which causes oral and vaginal thrush, are spreading and posing serious risks to the severely ill. WHO experts warn that without proper diagnosis and treatment, these infections can be deadly. Dr. Yukiko Nakatani, WHO’s Assistant Director-General for Antimicrobial Resistance, highlighted the urgent need for innovation in the development of both antifungal drugs and diagnostic tools, especially in low- and middle-income countries where access is often limited.

The WHO's fungal priority pathogens list (FPPL) identifies the deadliest fungi that require immediate attention, noting that mortality rates for some of these infections can reach up to 88%. Despite the growing threat, the report points out that over the past decade, only four new antifungal drugs have been approved globally, and the pipeline for new treatments remains insufficient. Additionally, most of the available treatments have significant side effects, limiting their use.

WHO is calling for greater investment in global surveillance and increased financial incentives to support research and development of safer, more effective antifungal medicines. There is also an urgent need to expand access to diagnostics that can accurately detect fungal infections at the point of care, especially in resource-poor settings. Current diagnostic methods are often too slow, expensive, and complex, which makes timely and accurate detection challenging in many parts of the world.

The organization is pushing for a global effort to strengthen responses to fungal infections and improve antifungal resistance management. WHO is also working on an implementation blueprint to better address the challenges posed by invasive fungal diseases.

As the world faces a rising threat from fungal infections, WHO's call for action underscores the need for innovative solutions to prevent these deadly diseases from claiming more lives.