Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday expressed deep concern over the increasing misuse of antibiotics and the threat of antibiotic resistance due to it. In his radio program ‘Mann Ki Baat’ he clearly said that “Antibiotics are not medicines which can be taken without thinking.”
The Prime Minister cited a recent report by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), which stated that many antibiotics are no longer effective against common diseases such as pneumonia and urinary tract infections. He said that this trend is a matter of concern for everyone and if it is not taken care of in time, treatment will become even more difficult.
What did PM Modi say?
PM Modi explained that use of antibiotics without doctor’s advice is the biggest reason for this problem. He warned that the belief that “one pill will cure every disease” is making the infection stronger than the drugs. Due to this, bacteria are becoming resistant to medicines. He appealed to people to avoid self-medication, especially antibiotics. The Prime Minister said that it is important to consult a doctor before taking any medicine for any disease. He stressed that responsible use is important not only for individual health but also for society, to ensure that life-saving medicines remain effective.
What do experts say?
Health experts have already warned that antimicrobial resistance is becoming one of India’s biggest public health challenges. According to ICMR, the use of antibiotics without prescription is rapidly increasing this problem, which can make even common infections difficult to treat.
On this, Dr. Arun Sidram Kharat, Professor of Microbiology at Jawaharlal Nehru University, says that antimicrobial resistance has become one of the biggest global health threats of the 21st century. He explained that indiscriminate use of antibiotics delays treatment, increases costs, and forces doctors to use more powerful drugs, which often have more serious side effects. He warned that if concrete steps are not taken in time, it is estimated that by 2050 antimicrobial resistance could become one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Therefore, we need to be very careful in its use, as it can have harmful consequences later on.
