KERALA LAUNCHED OPERATION AMRITH TO COMBAT AMR

28-02-2024

Kerala recently initiated Operation AMRITH (Antimicrobial Resistance Intervention for Total Health), enforcing the H1 rule mandating a doctor's prescription for acquiring any class of antibiotics, addressing the issue of over-the-counter antibiotic sales.
Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) poses a major public health threat globally, occurring when bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites develop resistance to medicines, making infections increasingly difficult or impossible to treat.
AMR's main drivers include misuse and overuse of antimicrobials, lack of access to clean water and sanitation, poor infection prevention and control, lack of awareness, and enforcement of legislation.
Over 50-70% of antibiotic prescriptions in India are unnecessary and irrational due to factors like lack of laboratory facilities for accurate diagnosis and patient pressure for antibiotics.
Combating AMR requires improving public health infrastructure, sanitation, and governance, reforming physicians' prescribing practices, mandating hospital reporting of infection rates, rationalizing antibiotic use, and educating patients about antibiotic limitations.
The H1 rule, introduced in 2011, aimed to restrict over-the-counter sales of antibiotics without a prescription, but its enforcement faced challenges due to the Diverse healthcare system in India.
Kerala's high doctor-patient ratio and literacy rate facilitate the implementation of Operation AMRITH, but its impact on drug-resistant infections may take several years to manifest, encouraging further actions to combat AMR.

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KERALA LAUNCHED OPERATION AMRITH TO COMBAT AMR

KERALA LAUNCHED OPERATION AMRITH TO COMBAT AMR

Kerala recently initiated Operation AMRITH (Antimicrobial Resistance Intervention for Total Health), enforcing the H1 rule mandating a doctor's prescription for acquiring any class of antibiotics, addressing the issue of over-the-counter antibiotic sales.

Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) poses a major public health threat globally, occurring when bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites develop resistance to medicines, making infections increasingly difficult or impossible to treat.

AMR's main drivers include misuse and overuse of antimicrobials, lack of access to clean water and sanitation, poor infection prevention and control, lack of awareness, and enforcement of legislation.

Over 50-70% of antibiotic prescriptions in India are unnecessary and irrational due to factors like lack of laboratory facilities for accurate diagnosis and patient pressure for antibiotics.

Combating AMR requires improving public health infrastructure, sanitation, and governance, reforming physicians' prescribing practices, mandating hospital reporting of infection rates, rationalizing antibiotic use, and educating patients about antibiotic limitations.

The H1 rule, introduced in 2011, aimed to restrict over-the-counter sales of antibiotics without a prescription, but its enforcement faced challenges due to the Diverse healthcare system in India.

Kerala's high doctor-patient ratio and literacy rate facilitate the implementation of Operation AMRITH, but its impact on drug-resistant infections may take several years to manifest, encouraging further actions to combat AMR.

Must Check: Best IAS Coaching In Delhi

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