Union Health and Family Welfare Minister J.P Nadda has emphasized that antimicrobial resistance is a major public health concern that can only be addressed through collective action. Mr Nadda said this after launching the second version of the National Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) (2025-29) in New Delhi on Tuesday. He stated that AMR poses significant risks, particularly in surgical procedures, cancer treatment, and other critical healthcare interventions. The Minister added that the overuse and misuse of antibiotics has unfortunately become common practice, underscoring the urgency of corrective measures. Mr Nadda also pointed out that National Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance 2.0 addresses the gaps identified in the first version of plan by increasing the ownership of AMR-related efforts, strengthening inter-sectoral coordination and ensuring stronger engagement with the private sector.
Antimicrobial resistance has been identified as a global health threat with serious health, political and economic implications. AMR leads to delays in treatment thus increasing the risk of spreading resistant microorganisms and health-care costs and the economic burden to families and societies.
