Daily Current Affairs : 7-July-2023
Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) is a grave concern that poses a significant threat to global public health. It occurs when pathogens, such as bacteria, fungi, viruses, and parasites, become resistant to the medicines developed to treat them. The rise of drug-resistant infections, including tuberculosis, pneumonia, and Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), has made AMR a leading cause of death worldwide. This essay explores the causes, global initiatives, measures taken in India, and the challenges associated with tackling AMR.
Understanding Antimicrobial Resistance
- AMR is the process in which pathogens that were once sensitive to certain drugs no longer respond to those drugs.
- Antimicrobials, including antibiotics, antivirals, antifungals, and antiparasitics, are used to prevent and treat infections in humans, animals, and plants.
- Bacterial infections alone account for one in eight deaths globally.
The Global Concern of Antimicrobial Resistance
- Drug-resistant pathogens with new resistance mechanisms continue to emerge and spread, compromising our ability to treat common infections.
- The rapid global spread of multi- and pan-resistant bacteria, known as “superbugs,” is alarming as existing antimicrobial medicines are ineffective against them.
- AMR imposes significant costs on national economies and healthcare systems due to prolonged hospital stays, expensive care, and reduced productivity.
Causes of Antimicrobial Resistance
- AMR occurs naturally over time through genetic changes in organisms.
- Antimicrobial resistant organisms are found in humans, animals, food, plants, and the environment.
- The main drivers of AMR include the misuse and overuse of antimicrobials, poor access to clean water and sanitation, inadequate infection prevention and control, lack of affordable medicines and vaccines, limited awareness and knowledge, and poor enforcement of legislation.
Global Initiatives to Address AMR
- Global Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance (GAP) established during the 2015 World Health Assembly emphasizes the development and implementation of national action plans.
- Tripartite Joint Secretariat on Antimicrobial Resistance coordinates a broad, coordinated approach involving human, animal, plant, and environmental health sectors.
- World Antimicrobial Awareness Week (WAAW) aims to raise awareness and encourage best practices to combat AMR.
- The Global Antimicrobial Resistance and Use Surveillance System (GLASS) collects and analyzes data to inform strategies.
- Global Antibiotic Research and Development Partnership (GARDP) promotes equitable access to treatments for drug-resistant infections.
Measures Taken in India to Tackle AMR
- The National Programme on AMR Containment, launched in 2012-17, strengthened the AMR Surveillance Network by establishing labs in State Medical Colleges.
- The National Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance (NAP-AMR) focuses on a One Health approach involving various stakeholder ministries and departments.
- The Delhi Declaration on AMR ensures inter-ministerial consensus and support for AMR containment.
- The Indian Council for Medical Research established the AMR Surveillance and Research Network (AMRSN) in 2013 to generate evidence and track trends of drug-resistant infections.
Challenges in Combating Antimicrobial Resistance
- Unregulated use of antibiotics in animal husbandry, dairying, and poultry sectors poses a significant concern.
- Environmental factors, such as untreated wastewater and effluents, contribute to the spread of AMR.
- The COVID-19 pandemic has led to increased antibiotic use, hindering efforts in the fight against AMR.
- AMR imposes a massive economic burden on families and society, including prolonged morbidity, increased mortality, and wasteful expenditure on ineffective medicines.
Important Points:
Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) is a global public health threat that occurs when pathogens become resistant to the medicines developed to treat them.
Bacterial infections alone account for one in eight deaths globally.
AMR is fueling the rise of drug-resistant infections, including tuberculosis, pneumonia, and Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).
AMR is a leading cause of death worldwide and imposes significant economic costs on national economies and healthcare systems.
Causes of AMR include the misuse and overuse of antimicrobials, poor access to clean water and sanitation, inadequate infection prevention and control, and limited awareness and knowledge.
Global initiatives such as the Global Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance (GAP) and World Antimicrobial Awareness Week (WAAW) aim to raise awareness and develop national action plans to combat AMR.
The Global Antimicrobial Resistance and Use Surveillance System (GLASS) collects and analyzes data to inform strategies.
Measures taken in India to tackle AMR include the National Programme on AMR Containment, the National Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance (NAP-AMR), and the establishment of the AMR Surveillance and Research Network (AMRSN).
Challenges in combating AMR include unregulated use of antibiotics in animal husbandry, environmental factors contributing to the spread of AMR, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on antibiotic use, and the economic burden of AMR on families and society.
It is crucial to address the misuse and overuse of antimicrobials, improve access to clean water and sanitation, strengthen infection prevention and control, and promote awareness and knowledge to effectively combat AMR.
Why In News
Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) is widely acknowledged as one of the most alarming and urgent challenges endangering Global Public Health today. Without effective measures to combat AMR, the consequences could be catastrophic, jeopardizing the efficacy of existing treatments and undermining the foundation of modern medicine.
MCQs about The Looming Threat of Antimicrobial Resistance
-
What is the main cause of antimicrobial resistance (AMR)?
A. Genetic changes in pathogens
B. Lack of access to clean water and sanitation
C. Poor enforcement of legislation
D. Overuse of vaccines
-
Which global initiative aims to raise awareness and encourage best practices to combat AMR?
A. Global Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance (GAP)
B. World Antimicrobial Awareness Week (WAAW)
C. Global Antibiotic Research and Development Partnership (GARDP)
D. Tripartite Joint Secretariat on Antimicrobial Resistance
-
What is the purpose of the Global Antimicrobial Resistance and Use Surveillance System (GLASS)?
A. To develop national action plans on AMR
B. To provide affordable medicines for drug-resistant infections
C. To collect and analyze data on AMR trends and patterns
D. To coordinate a broad approach across human, animal, and environmental health sectors
-
What is one of the challenges in combating antimicrobial resistance (AMR)?
A. Strict enforcement of legislation
B. Limited access to quality medicines and diagnostics
C. Reduced morbidity and mortality rates
D. Increased public awareness and knowledge
Boost up your confidence by appearing our Weekly Current Affairs Multiple Choice Questions
