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Antimicrobial Resistance has been recognised as a ‘silent pandemic’

Published: 25th Nov, 2022

Context

In a Report by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) to mark World Antimicrobial Awareness Week (WAAW) has mentioned that Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a ‘silent pandemic’ and is a global public health threat

  • Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) is also going to promote Ethnoveterinary medicine (EVM) for treating animals.

Ethnoveterinary medicine (EVM) involves the use of traditional / herbal preparations in treating diseases of cattle.

 

World Antimicrobial Awareness Week (WAAW):

  • Celebrated On: November 18-24 globally.
  • Aim: To create awareness and understanding on the issue of Antimicrobial drugs by Humans and Animals.
  • Theme: Preventing Antimicrobial Resistance Together, which highlights the importance of strengthening preventive measures to address AMR by working together through a ‘One Health’ approach.

Key Points:

  • Increasing use of antibiotics and infectious diseases are becoming difficult to treat.
  • According to a study, some 4.95 million deaths were associated with, and 1.95 million deaths directly attributable to bacterial AMR across the world in 2019.
  • Apart from health, AMR is also likely to heavily impact livelihood and economies.

What is Antimicrobial Resistance?

  • Antimicrobial Resistance is the resistance acquired by any microorganism (bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasite, etc.) against antimicrobial drugs that are used to treat infections.

World Health Organisation (WHO) has identified AMR as one of the top ten threats to global health.

Factors Responsible:

  • Antibiotic consumption in humans
  • Access to antibiotics without prescription
  • Lack of knowledge about when to use antibiotics
  • Steroidal injection to Animals
  • Anti-microbial drugs to animals
  • Untreated disposal of sewage water bodies

Recent Government Initiatives:

  • National Programme on AMR containment: Launched in 2012. Under this programme, AMR Surveillance Network has been strengthened by establishing labs in State Medical College.
  • National Action Plan on AMR: It focuses on One Health approach and was launched in April 2017 with the aim of involving various stakeholder ministries/departments.
  • AMR Surveillance and Research Network (AMRSN): It was launched in 2013, to generate evidence and capture trends and patterns of drug resistant infections in the country.
  • AMR Research & International Collaboration: Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has taken initiatives to develop new drugs /medicines through international collaborations in order to strengthen medical research in AMR.
  • Antibiotic Stewardship Program: ICMR has initiated Antibiotic Stewardship Program (AMSP) on a pilot project across India to control misuse and overuse of antibiotics in hospital wards and ICUs.
  • DCGI had banned 40 Fixed Dose Combinations (FDCs) which were found inappropriate.
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