OVERCOMING INDIA'S AMR CHALLENGE

India faces a growing threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Experts warn of superbugs and ineffective treatments. Is there hope? Read on to find out.

With microbes like bacteria, viruses, and fungi beginning to resist the effects of medicines that were once used to treat them, India faces a formidable antimicrobial resistance (AMR) challenge today. Experts warn of an alarming situation. Dr Honey Savla, Internal Medicine Specialist at Wockhardt Hospitals, Mumbai Central, highlights a “surge in antibiotic-resistant microbes noted in various ICU patients in the country”, a number that’s increasing by roughly 30 percent due to factors like “indiscriminate use of antibiotics, poor de-escalation, wrong durations, dose and frequency.”

Stating that the AMR problem in India is serious, with several challenging factors contributing to the burden, Dr Camilla Rodrigues, Consultant Microbiologist and Chairperson - Infection Control Committee, PD Hinduja Hospital and MRC, says, “The most impacted patients are those in hospitals, particularly the seriously ill in ICUs, adults with co-morbidities such as diabetes, COPD, and CLD, and the immunocompromised (e.g., cancer chemotherapy, transplant patients).”

The uncontrolled use of antibiotics has severe consequences. Dr Rahul Pandit, Chair of the Intensive Care Unit at Sir HN Reliance Hospital, Mumbai, points to the gravity of the issue: "Around 60-70 percent of urinary tract infections which present at the hospital and are complicated, are actually caused by organisms which are resistant." This "community-acquired resistance" translates to critically ill patients arriving at hospitals already infected with resistant strains.

Indiscriminate use of antibiotics, poor de-escalation, wrong durations, dose and frequency are causing a surge in antibiotic resistant microbes in India.