At the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) High-Level Meeting on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Smt. Anupriya Patel emphasized the urgent need for global cooperation to tackle the escalating threat of AMR. She described AMR as a "critical threat to global public health" that risks undermining decades of progress in modern medicine.
During her address, Patel called for the immediate integration of AMR containment strategies into health programs that focus on pandemic preparedness, health system strengthening, and universal health coverage. She advocated for prioritizing prevention and mitigation efforts over mere surveillance, urging efficient resource utilization to combat the AMR challenge.
Smt. Patel highlighted India’s significant achievements in fighting AMR since the launch of its National Action Plan (NAP-AMR) in April 2017. India has made great strides in expanding surveillance across both human and animal sectors, reducing hospital-acquired infections through enhanced infection prevention and control measures, and promoting the responsible use of antimicrobials.
The Union Minister emphasized the importance of Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) measures, which have been strengthened through widespread training programs for healthcare workers across India. In tandem with the Clean India Mission, the country has improved sanitation, hygiene, and infection control in healthcare facilities. She also pointed out that the government has initiated a nationwide, standardized surveillance program to monitor healthcare-associated infections (HAI).
To regulate antimicrobial use, India has enforced strict prescription-based sales of these drugs, and regularly updates its National Treatment Guidelines to ensure the judicious use of antimicrobials. The Antimicrobial Stewardship (AMS) Program, designed for resource-limited settings, is being adopted by many hospitals across the country. This program aims to curb unnecessary antibiotic prescriptions, a key factor contributing to rising AMR.
Patel stressed the importance of inter-sectoral collaboration in India’s updated National Action Plan on AMR (NAP-AMR 2.0). The plan includes budgeted actions for each sector, along with clear monitoring and evaluation frameworks. The country’s "One Health" approach, which addresses human, animal, and environmental health, has been vital in fostering coordination across sectors in the fight against AMR. Furthermore, the government has prioritized research aimed at reducing AMR’s impact on the environment.
Concluding her speech, the Minister applauded the efforts of UN member states in drafting the High-Level Ministerial Declaration on AMR. She reaffirmed India’s commitment to combating AMR both at the national and global levels, stating, "India remains fully committed to addressing the AMR challenge through comprehensive sectoral and inter-sectoral efforts. By working together, we can mitigate the risks posed by AMR and safeguard the future of public health worldwide."
(Input from various sources)
(Rehash/Ankur Deka/MSM)
