Dr. M Srinivas, Director at AIIMS, Delhi, advised against taking antibiotics without consulting a doctor, emphasizing the risks associated with their misuse. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed concern over rising antibiotic resistance levels in India during his recent ‘Mann Ki Baat’ address. He highlighted a report by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) indicating a decrease in antibiotic effectiveness against diseases like pneumonia and UTIs.
Dr. V Srinivas from AIIMS cautioned that widespread antibiotic use could lead to drug resistance, posing a serious threat to effective treatment in critical care settings. He stressed the importance of seeking medical advice before taking antibiotics, as only a doctor can determine the appropriate medication and dosage. Additionally, Dr. Bimal Kumar Das, a Professor at AIIMS, commended the Prime Minister’s attention to the issue of antibiotic misuse and resistance, emphasizing the urgent need for responsible antibiotic use.
According to Dr. Neha Rastogi, a Senior Infectious Diseases Consultant, India is grappling with a significant burden of infectious diseases, with UTIs and pneumonia being particularly affected. She highlighted the rampant availability of antibiotics without proper prescriptions and incomplete treatment courses as factors contributing to antibiotic resistance. Rastogi underscored the necessity of raising public awareness, changing behaviors, enhancing diagnostics, and enforcing policies to combat antimicrobial resistance effectively.
