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Indian Pediatr 2014;51: 437-439

IAP-ICMR Call to Action to Tackle the Antimicrobial Resistance


Vijay N Yewale

National President, Indian Academy of Pediatrics, 2014

Correspondence to: Dr Yewale Hospital, Plot 6B, Sector 9, Vashi, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra-400703, India. Email: [email protected]


In continuation with my write up on Antimicrobial resistance – a ticking bomb [1], I am happy to announce another forward step taken by the Academy in this direction – ‘Call to Action to tackle the antimicrobial resistance (AMR)’ (Annexure I). The Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP) and the Indian Council Medical Research (ICMR) came together in the month of April 2014 – perhaps for the first time – to discuss and deliberate over the magnitude of the problem, reasons and possible solutions to tackle the antimicrobial resistance among children in India. Dr. Katoch, Secretary HR and Director General-ICMR addressed the meeting and rendered support from ICMR, and recommended to work out interventions keeping in mind the local needs and constraints.

The data presented by microbiologists from different regions of the country showed that though the magnitude of resistance is higher in gram negative organisms, the resistance among gram positive bacteria is also showing a worsening trend. It was noted that most of the data presented were from the intensive care units, and there is scarcity of representative data from the community. Indiscriminate use of antibiotics appears to be the single most important factor responsible for the menace of AMR. Over-the-counter availability of antibiotics, laxity of regulatory bodies in approval of antibiotics, lack of public awareness about antibiotic resistance and the injudicious use in veterinary practice are some other causes. Overburdened health infrastructure and inequity in health care are other obstacles for rational use of antibiotics. There is also a lack of awareness about tremendous potential of, and implementation of the infection control policies in the small hospitals and nursing homes to prevent resistant infections.

A 4-point plan has been chalked out with time frames based on the above deliberations:

1. Developing and disseminating National Antibiotic Guidelines for Children 2014 – The IAP-ICMR document;

2. Educating doctors – both pediatricians and others – and public on rational antibiotic practice;

3. Developing infection control guidelines for small hospitals and nursing homes, training the owners of such establishments and ensuring compliance by the members; and

4. Collecting and collating data on antimicrobial resistance from the clinicians.

The tasks are challenging but not impossible. We must aggressively chase the goal to save the antibiotics for what we know as curatives of today.

Reference

1. Yewale VN. Antimicrobial resistance – a ticking bomb! Indian Pediatr. 2014;51:171-2.

 

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