Hidden Epidemic in Indian Hospitals: Antibiotic Resistance on the Rise
New Delhi, November 28
The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has released an eight-report highlighting a concerning trend of increasing antibiotic resistance in Indian hospitals. According to the report, antibiotic-resistant bacteria have increased by 91% over the past few years, rendering many drugs ineffective.
The report's key findings are based on an analysis of 99,027 culture-positive samples, taken from hospitals across the country between January and December 2024.
According to the report, Gram-negative bacteria (GNB) are responsible for most infections, which are particularly concerning due to their rapid development of antibiotic resistance.
"Gram-negative bacteria (GNB) remained the most commonly isolated pathogens from most clinically relevant samples, like blood, urine, CSF, and respiratory tract samples, except for pus/exudate samples." said the report.
Additionally, the Acinetobacter baumannii, which is listed as a critical priority by the World Health Organisation, showed 91% resistance to antibiotics in ICU settings"
The report also highlighted growing resistance to typhoid treatment, with 95% of Salmonella Typhi cases being resistant to fluoroquinolones.
"Salmonella Typhi isolates showed very good susceptibility to ceftriaxone (98%), cefixime (97.9%), trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (97.7%) and azithromycin (99.5%), and very low susceptibility to fluoroquinolones (>95% resistance). These findings emphasize the limited effectiveness of fluoroquinolones in treating infections caused by this pathogen." It said.
The spread of resistance genes like NDM, OXA-48, and TEM among bacteria is also a significant concern, as it could lead to the emergence of new superbugs.
Hence, the ICMR report warns that if immediate action is not taken, the situation could become a national health crisis.
To help prevent the crisis from escalating in India, the ICMR has outlined urgent actions. The ICMR emphasised the need to promote rational antibiotic use, strengthen infection control measures, and enhance surveillance to combat the spread of superbugs. The report also recommended implementing an integrated antibiotic policy and conducting regular audits to address the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance
— ANI
Reader Comments
The problem starts with doctors prescribing antibiotics for every small cough and cold. Also, people stop medication as soon as they feel better without completing the course. This needs to change urgently!
91% resistance in ICU settings is terrifying! What happens when we face a major health crisis and antibiotics stop working? The government should make this a top priority. Jai Hind! 🇮🇳
As someone working in healthcare, I appreciate ICMR bringing this to light. However, I wish they'd provided more specific guidelines for smaller hospitals and clinics that lack resources for proper infection control.
People need to understand that antibiotics are not candy. In my colony, medical stores sell them without prescription. This practice must be stopped immediately with strict penalties.
The typhoid resistance statistics are particularly concerning given how common waterborne diseases are in many parts of India. Public awareness campaigns about proper antibiotic use are desperately needed.
We need better hospital hygiene standards too. Many government hospitals have poor sanitation which contributes to these superbugs. Cleanliness should be non-negotiable in healthcare settings. ðŸ™
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.