An ambitious state-level project designed to tackle the growing menace of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in Karnataka has failed to get off the ground, raising serious concerns among public health experts. Despite receiving formal approval from the state government, the initiative remains stuck in bureaucratic and procedural delays, leaving a critical gap in the fight against drug-resistant superbugs.
The Approved Plan Stuck in Limbo
The project, sanctioned under the National Health Mission (NHM), was approved by the Karnataka government in December 2023. It aimed to establish a dedicated State Project Management Unit (SPMU) specifically for AMR. This unit was envisioned as the operational backbone for implementing the National Action Plan on AMR (NAP-AMR) at the state level. However, more than five months after the approval, the project has seen no tangible progress.
The core of the problem lies in the release of funds. The state's finance department has not yet disbursed the allocated budget, effectively freezing all activities. Consequently, the crucial process of hiring essential personnel for the SPMU has not begun. The unit requires a nodal officer, a microbiologist, a pharmacist, and data entry operators to function. Without this team, Karnataka lacks a dedicated body to coordinate AMR surveillance, stewardship, and awareness activities across its healthcare facilities.
Why This Delay Poses a Severe Threat
Antimicrobial resistance occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites evolve to withstand the drugs designed to kill them. This renders standard treatments ineffective, leading to prolonged illness, higher medical costs, and increased mortality. Karnataka's delay in launching its counter-project is happening against a backdrop of alarming data.
A recent report from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) highlighted a disturbing trend. It noted a significant rise in resistance to last-resort antibiotics like carbapenems in pathogens such as Acinetobacter baumannii and Klebsiella pneumoniae. These drug-resistant infections are particularly dangerous in hospital settings (Hospital-Acquired Infections or HAIs). The state's inaction means there is no coordinated mechanism to:
- Monitor the spread of resistant pathogens systematically.
- Enforce antibiotic stewardship programs to curb misuse.
- Generate state-specific data to inform treatment guidelines.
- Run public awareness campaigns on the prudent use of antibiotics.
Experts warn that this inertia directly undermines the national fight against AMR. Dr. Shashidhar Buggi, a senior advisor to the state government, confirmed the project's stalled status, pointing to the finance department's hold-up as the primary bottleneck.
The Path Forward and Urgent Calls for Action
The National Action Plan on AMR, launched in 2017, mandates every state to establish its own implementation unit. Karnataka's continued delay puts it behind other states that have activated their SPMUs. The project's scope is comprehensive, aiming to integrate AMR containment strategies across human health, animal health, and the environment—a holistic approach known as One Health.
Public health advocates are urging the state administration to treat this as a priority. The immediate steps required are clear:
- Expedite the release of funds from the finance department.
- Initiate the recruitment process for the SPMU without further delay.
- Formalize collaborations with veterinary and environmental departments.
- Activate AMR surveillance in sentinel hospitals across the state.
Every day of inaction allows antimicrobial resistance to strengthen, potentially leading to a future where common infections and minor surgeries become high-risk endeavors due to the lack of effective antibiotics. Karnataka's health department now faces the critical task of translating its approved plan into concrete action to safeguard public health for future generations.
