“If antimicrobial resistance were a war, it would rival the deadliest in history.”
As the shadow of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) continues to
lengthen, threatening to unravel decades of medical progress, global health
leaders are issuing an urgent call for a unified, multi-sectoral approach.
Experts emphasize that the fight against "superbugs" – bacteria,
viruses, fungi, and parasites that no longer respond to medicines – requires
concrete actions from every stakeholder, transforming a looming crisis into a
manageable challenge.
AMR is projected to cause 10 million deaths annually by 2050
if unchecked, posing a grave threat to human, animal, and environmental health,
as well as the global economy. "This is not just a healthcare problem;
it's a societal one," stated Dr. Lena Hansen, Director of the Global AMR
Alliance. "Every government, industry, healthcare provider, farmer, and
individual has a critical role to play in safeguarding the efficacy of our
life-saving medicines."
Many states in India are on the verge of an AMR pandemic. For ex: The AMR crisis in Bihar: Based on 48K+
samples (2022–2024) from 5 public hospitals, the study reveals resistance to
key antibiotics & MRSA rates >65% in some sites.
People living
with NCDs are more vulnerable to drug-resistant infections AMR and NCDs
share systemic drivers such as health inequities and access barriers.
Role of Healthcare Providers and Institutions: Frontline
Defenders
- Implement
Robust Antimicrobial Stewardship Programs: Ensure antibiotics are
prescribed only when necessary, at the correct dose, duration, and with
the most appropriate agent. This includes regular audits and feedback.
- Strengthen
Infection Prevention and Control (IPC): Adhere strictly to hand
hygiene, sterilization protocols, safe injection practices, and
surveillance for healthcare-associated infections.
- Improve
Diagnostics: Utilize rapid diagnostic tests to identify
infections quickly and accurately, enabling targeted treatment rather than
broad-spectrum antibiotics.
- Educate
Patients: Inform patients about the importance of completing
their prescribed course of antibiotics, not sharing them, and the
ineffectiveness of antibiotics against viral infections.
- Invest
in Training: Equip healthcare professionals with the latest
knowledge on AMR, stewardship, and IPC.
Kudos to IMA Leaders for their pathbreaking and
innovative fight against AMR
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