Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites develop resistance to the drugs designed to kill them, making infections much harder to treat. This resistance emerges due to overuse and misuse of antibiotics, such as self-medicating without prescriptions or not completing prescribed courses. The World Health Organization (WHO) and recent global studies highlight antimicrobial resistance (AMR) as one of the most significant threats to global health. India has a significant burden of drug-resistant pathogens, with projections suggesting that AMR could cause two million deaths by 2050.
4.71 million
People died with infections associated with drug resistance, in 2021.4
1.14 million
Deaths were directly caused by AMR, in 20214
1 in 5 million
Caused by AMR occurred in children under the age of five.5
Antibiotic resistance (AMR) emerges when antibiotics no longer work on the body and the infection takes longer time to treat. Various factors cause viruses, bacteria and parasites to change over a period of time and become resistant to anti-infectives. This makes the treatment difficult and increasing prevalence of anti-microbial resistance leads to severe complicated infections and longer hospital stays. AMR is a global public health threat, making infections harder to treat. AMR can affect humans, animals as well as plants. It can add to economic burden to a patient, healthcare systems and national economy.
Challenges in tackling AMR
Lack of awareness on usage of antibiotics
poor infection control practices
lack of regulation in animal husbandry
limited access to clean water and sanitation
Inadequate surveillance
AMR significantly affects individuals by;
- making previously treatable infections more difficult to cure.
- Common Infections may no longer respond to commonly used antibiotics, leading to longer hospital stay and more complex treatments
- increased risk of complications or death.
AMR places an immense burden on healthcare systems by;
- driving up treatment costs
- increasing hospitalization durations
- complicating infection control
Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites develop resistance to the drugs designed to kill them, making infections much harder to treat. This resistance emerges due to overuse and misuse of antibiotics, such as self-medicating without prescriptions or not completing prescribed courses.1
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