Prime Minister Narendra Modi has sounded a critical alarm about a growing health crisis, describing Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) as a 'silent pandemic' during his recent 'Mann Ki Baat' address. This urgent message highlights a serious public health threat where common antibiotics are losing their power to fight infections.
The Prime Minister's Urgent Appeal on Antibiotic Use
In his broadcast, PM Modi directly urged all citizens to use antibiotics responsibly and avoid treating them as routine medication. He stressed that these powerful drugs should only be taken under strict medical supervision. The Prime Minister backed his concern by citing a report from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), which shows that indiscriminate antibiotic use is drastically reducing their effectiveness.
The ICMR findings specifically point to declining efficacy against serious and common infections like pneumonia and urinary tract infections (UTIs). PM Modi emphasized that responsible use is the strongest weapon in the fight against this growing drug resistance.
Medical Experts from Nagpur Echo the Warning
Echoing the Prime Minister's appeal, leading doctors from Nagpur elaborated on the scale of the problem. Dr. Prashant P Joshi, CEO and Executive Director of AIIMS Nagpur, affirmed that antibiotics are life-saving drugs when used correctly for bacterial infections. However, he issued a stark warning: "When they are misused or taken unnecessarily, they lead to antimicrobial resistance, making these medicines ineffective."
Dr. Joshi detailed common behaviors that fuel the AMR crisis, which include:
- Taking antibiotics for viral fevers like common cold or flu.
- Stopping the prescribed course of treatment midway.
- Self-medicating with leftover medicines from old prescriptions.
A Future Without Effective Antibiotics?
Dr. Avinash Gawande, Medical Superintendent of GMCH and a community medicine expert, provided a grim outlook if current practices continue. He clarified that viral infections often do not require antibiotics at all. "When antibiotics are taken when not needed, resistance develops," Dr. Gawande stated. He warned of a potential future scenario: "If this continues, a time will come when people will not have any effective antibiotics left to treat infections."
This collective warning from the nation's leadership and top medical professionals underscores a critical juncture for public health in India. The 'silent pandemic' of AMR requires immediate and concerted action from both healthcare providers and the public to preserve the efficacy of essential medicines for future generations.
