Modi Sounds Alarm on Antibiotic Misuse: A Growing Health Threat in India
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In his latest Mann Ki Baat address, Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted the alarming issue of antibiotic misuse in India. Speaking on Sunday, he warned that taking antibiotics without medical supervision can make these life-saving drugs ineffective and even life-threatening. According to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), antibiotic misuse has emerged as a serious public health threat in the country. The Prime Minister cited the ICMR report, stating that when antibiotics are taken casually or without a prescription, they can contribute to the spread of infections rather than curing them. Bacteria are increasingly becoming resistant to treatment, making it difficult to treat illnesses such as pneumonia and urinary tract infections. Modi urged citizens to use medicines responsibly and consult doctors, especially when taking antibiotics. He cautioned against the common tendency to self-medicate, saying that many people believe a single pill can fix every problem, leading to a rise in infections linked to antibiotic misuse. Doctors welcomed the Prime Minister's message, emphasizing the need for judicious antibiotic use. Dr Namita Jaggi, Chairperson of Lab Services and Infection Control at Artemis Hospitals, said that the medical community strongly supports Modi's emphasis on taking antibiotics only on a doctor's advice. "Today, when we heard the Prime Minister speak on a very important issue, antimicrobial resistance, and how patients should take antibiotics judiciously and only on a doctor's advice, we welcome and support his message," she said. NITI Aayog member (Health) Dr VK Paul noted that while antibiotics save millions of lives globally, unscientific overuse has resulted in many drugs losing their effectiveness against serious infections. He said the Prime Minister's call to avoid self-medication was timely and important. Former AIIMS director Dr Randeep Guleria also drew attention to the alarming rise in antimicrobial resistance, pointing out that several hospital and ICU patients are now suffering from infections that no existing antibiotic can treat. He strongly advised people to consult a qualified doctor before using antibiotics for any illness, echoing the Prime Minister's appeal during Mann Ki Baat. Experts emphasized that taking antibiotics for viral illnesses such as colds and coughs, often without consulting a doctor, allows bacteria to develop resistance, rendering these medicines useless when they are genuinely required. They urged people to use antibiotics responsibly and to consult doctors before taking them for any illness. Modi's message has been welcomed by doctors and experts, who see it as a crucial step in addressing the growing challenge of antimicrobial resistance in India. They emphasized the need for responsible antibiotic use and the importance of consulting doctors before taking antibiotics.
