Mitigating the Problem of Drug Resistance in Parasitic Diseases among Marginalized Populations

Abstract

Parasitic infections continue to impose a heavy burden on marginalized populations, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. The objectives of the current article are to ascertain the magnitude of drug resistance in parasitic infections among marginalized populations and to propose targeted public health interventions to overcome the problem. Despite large-scale efforts through mass drug administration and targeted treatment campaigns, emerging resistance to antiparasitic drugs now threatens to undermine decades of progress. Evidence from malaria, schistosomiasis, soil-transmitted helminths, and leishmaniasis shows that resistance often develops first in communities with the least resources, where substandard drugs, poor access to diagnostics, and incomplete treatment courses are common. This situation not only prolongs illness and disability but also sustains transmission, creating a cycle that reinforces poverty and health inequity. By synthesizing current evidence, we call for integrating resistance surveillance into elimination programs, strengthening drug quality monitoring, and tailoring interventions to the needs of vulnerable populations. Addressing resistance in parasitic infections requires urgent, coordinated public health action to protect therapeutic effectiveness and secure long-term gains in global health.