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News Topical, Digital Desk : Prime Minister Narendra Modi's message against antibiotic misuse is a timely one and draws attention to the serious health crisis of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) rapidly spreading in the country. Health experts said the PM's warning on the 'Mann Ki Baat' programme has brought this "silent epidemic" to the centre of national discourse.
Citing a recent report by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), the Prime Minister stated that the effectiveness of antibiotics for diseases such as pneumonia and urinary tract infections is declining in India. He appealed to people not to use antibiotics unnecessarily and without a doctor's advice.
Experts also expressed concern
ICMR Director General Dr. Rajiv Bahl said that AMR means that infectious bacteria are no longer responding to drugs that previously provided easy treatment. Meanwhile, former IMA official Dr. Rajiv Jayadevan described it as a serious threat to the healthcare system.
According to a World Health Organization (WHO) report, one in three bacterial infections in India was found to be resistant to common antibiotics in 2023. A Lancet report has identified India as being at the epicenter of a 'superbug' crisis.
Health expert made this appeal
Dr. Neeraj Nischal, an expert at AIIMS Delhi, said that self-medication, incomplete courses, and the use of antibiotics for viral diseases contribute to AMR. Experts urged people to use antibiotics only on the advice of a doctor and to complete the full course, as this crisis can be addressed.
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