Antimicrobial resistance: An emerging threat for one health - solutions and way forward

Abstract

The spread of infections that are resistant to antimicrobial medicines has emerged as a threat to public health globally. This is promoted by human actions such as inappropriate prescribing and use of antibiotics prescribing and use of antimicrobials, insufficient hospital hygiene, inappropriate use of antibiotics in livestock sector, misuse of antibiotics in agriculture and humans, irresponsible manufacturing of antibiotics including uncontrolled release of active antibiotics into the environment. Antibiotics resistance can be more prevalent where antibiotic consumption is found to be higher. Lack of monitoring and control in using antibiotics is prominent and need to be targeted at country level. India is at the greatest risk looking to low process of antibiotics, easy availability and unnecessary use of antibiotics. For containing antimicrobial resistance there is a need to promote and protect human health within the framework of a One health approach through coherent, comprehensive and integrated multi-sectoral cooperation and actions as human, animal and environment health are interconnected. In India, various actions have been taken including setting up of a National Task Force on AMR Containment (2010), "Chennai Declaration" by a consortium of the Indian Medical Societies (2012), Setting of Indian Council of Medical Research national surveillance network of laboratories, "Redline" campaign for educating public and National Action Plan on AMR 2017. There is a need integrating AMR education in medical education.