Despite high mortality and morbidity, drug-resistant bacterial infections remain the forgotten pandemic. We argue for strengthening of diagnostics, WASH (water, sanitation, and hygiene) and infection prevention and control to reduce drug-resistant infections, as an integral part of sustainable high-quality health services, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. In a world of multiple crises, the momentum to tackle drug-resistant bacterial infections must not fall further behind. A renewed focus is needed on global infection prevention and control strategies, which are lagging behind in many countries, diagnosis and good antimicrobial stewardship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]