India’s evolving approach to antimicrobial resistance: a one health pathway

Written by: Deepa

1st December 2025

AMR- antimicrobial resistance occurs when bacteria, fungi, and viruses stop responding to existing medications. This means: – Infections become harder to treat – Illness lasts longer – Hospitalisation and complications increase – Higher-risk therapies (ICU care, advanced antibiotics) may be needed

What is AMR?

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– Common antibiotics are no longer working & are becoming ineffective. – Minor infections can become life-threatening. – Surgical & cancer treatments are becoming increasingly dangerous. – Antibiotic resistance spreads quickly through communities. – AMR is now recognised as a major global public health threat

Why Are We Talking About AMR?

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– Misuse and overuse of antibiotics. – Not completing the full course of prescribed antibiotics – Poor infection control practices in both individuals & healthcare facilities.

What causes AMR?

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– Prescribing antibiotics only to those patients who require them. – Taking the full course of antibiotics. – Not self-prescribing antibiotics. – Maintaining good hygiene & vaccinating.

What can be done to prevent AMR?

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– Making rational decisions about prescribing good medications. – Ensuring patients are not prescribed unnecessary antibiotics. – Encouraging patients to have diagnostic tests done. – Educating patients on antibiotics and proper usage.

Roles of medical practitioners in preventing AMR

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Everyone can help to prevent AMR by: – Not self-prescribing antibiotics. – Not requesting antibiotics for viral infections. – Following through on their physician's recommendations. – Keeping their homes clean and disinfected.

Role of the Public

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The steps that Hospitals must be taking include: – Improving sanitation, – Training on AMR guidelines, – Monitoring antibiotic use, – Promoting hand hygiene and sterilization.

Role of Hospitals & Healthcare Systems

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India launched NAP-AMR 2.0 from J.P. Nadda's (the Minister of Health) statement which focused on: – Strengthening surveillance, – Establishing stewardship programs, – Conducting research and innovating, – Conducting awareness campaigns, – Implementing an integrated approach (One Health) for Human, Animal, and Environmental sectors.

What is India Doing?

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AMR is a silent emergency. Preventing it requires: -Proper use of antibiotics -Improved healthcare practices -Better awareness education -A United Nations action plan.

Final Takeaway

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