With objective of sensitizing and creating awareness among common people Government of India has launched National Action Plan on Antibiotic Resistance 2.0. It is second such initiative by government of India. National Action Plan on Antibiotic Resistance was first launched in April 2017 in alignment with World Health Organization Global Action Plan.
National Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance 2.0(NAP-AMR 2.0) is based on “one health approach”. And will be implemented from 2025 to 2029.
It is build on 6 interconnected objectives that comprehensively targets AMR
-
Improved awareness and understanding: Through communication programs and professional training programs for various stakeholders like healthcare providers and general public. To fill gaps in knowledge, attitude and practices to bring effective changes.
-
Strengthen laboratory capacity: To expand surveillance capabilities and targeted monitoring of antibiotic using samples from wastewater from hospitals and pharmaceutical industries. It also aims to generate well represented AMR surveillance data to design policy specific for local, state and national level. Ensuring timely and accurate diagnosis services at local level to promote rational use of antibiotics.
-
Reduce the incidents of infection through Effective infection Prevention and Control: Infection prevention and control is the key to reducing demand and use of antibiotics and transmission of AMR. It is aims to Develop, monitor and implement National Infection Control Program(IPC) at all tiers of healthcare system.
-
Optimize use of Antibiotics in Human, animals and fishes: Emphasizing optimum and judicious use of antibiotics by banning the sale of over the counter antibiotics and sale only on the prescription of a physician. While, also ensuring uninterrupted sale of essential medicines of assured quality at hospital and community levels. For safe use in animals and fishes ensuring safe veterinary use and providing guidelines/SOPs and training materials for measuring consumption and use of antibiotics in veterinary hospitals.
-
Promote Research and Innovation: Research relevant to AMR requires prioritization of topics to answer and gaps in knowledge so as to guide policy. The plan aims to create an Innovation Research Fund specifically for evidence informed research related to antimicrobial resistance.
-
Strengthen Governance, Coordination and Collaboration on AMR: Strengthening of system within each sector for effective and multidisciplinary coordination and collaboration under “One Health”. It also aims to collaborate across boundaries of animals, human and environment to address the AMR problem holistically.
Such steps by government are welcome. And its knowledge is essential for everyone. So that we as citizen can also do our part by making informed decisions.
What are other important ways to reduce AMR in India?
MBH/PS