Act Now: Protect Our Present, Secure Our Future.
Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness Week is observed globally from November 18–24. Antibiotics are essential medicines. They save millions of lives by treating bacterial infections like pneumonia, sepsis, and tuberculosis. The problem is not antibiotics themselves—it is how we use them. Antimicrobial resistance occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites evolve to resist the drugs designed to kill them. Indian systems of medicine—especially Ayurveda, Siddha, and Unani—offer holistic, plant-based approaches that may help prevent infections and reduce reliance on antibiotics, thereby supporting efforts to mitigate antimicrobial resistance. Yes, people’s urgency to “get better fast” is a major driver of antibiotic overuse, which in turn fuels antimicrobial resistance. This pressure affects both patients and healthcare providers. Tackling antimicrobial resistance requires a coordinated, multisectoral strategy, such as the “One Health” approach, which recognises that the health of people, animals, and the environment is interconnected.
The Action on Antimicrobial Resistance Is “Equally As Urgent As Climate Action”.
Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director General, WHO
Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness Week is observed globally from November 18 to 24. The observation started in 2015 as “World Antibiotic Awareness Week”. Reflecting the broader scope of the crisis, which includes resistance to drugs treating viruses, fungi, and parasites, as well as bacteria (antibiotics), the observation has been rechristened as “Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness Week” since 2020. The observation focuses on the growing threat of drug-resistant infections and promotes coordinated action across sectors.
Use Antibiotics Wisely
– Only When Needed, And Only As Prescribed.
Antimicrobial resistance occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites evolve to resist the drugs designed to kill them. This makes common infections harder—or even impossible—to treat, leading to longer illnesses and increased mortality. Overuse and misuse of antibiotics led to resistance.
Antibiotics are essential medicines. They save millions of lives by treating bacterial infections like pneumonia, sepsis, and tuberculosis. The problem is not antibiotics themselves—it is how we use them. When antibiotics are misused, bacteria evolve to become resistant to them. This leads to antimicrobial resistance, in which infections become harder—or even impossible—to treat.
At least one million people die each year due to antimicrobial resistance, and tens of millions more suffer from drug-resistant infections globally. Countries most impacted by antimicrobial resistance include India, Nigeria, Pakistan, Congo, and China. 1 in 3 bacterial infections in India are resistant to commonly used antibiotics. Resistance is exceptionally high in hospital-acquired infections.
Though not a disease in itself, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a disease-like threat—it behaves like a silent pandemic. Experts now advocate treating AMR as a “Syndemic” —a complex health crisis shaped by biological, social, and environmental factors.
Why Resistance Emerged So Quickly?
Antimicrobial resistance began manifesting almost immediately after the discovery of antibiotics. The first major warning came in 1945, when Alexander Fleming, who discovered penicillin, cautioned that misuse could lead to the development of resistance. Bacteria evolve rapidly, especially under selective pressure from antibiotics. Overuse and misuse in humans, animals, and agriculture accelerated resistance. Lack of regulation and poor infection control allowed resistant strains to spread.
When Antibiotics Became Industrially Produced, Our Quality of Life And Our Longevity Improved Enormously. No One Thought Bacteria Would Become Resistant.
Bonnie Bassler, Molecular Biologist
Indian systems of medicine – especially Ayurveda, Siddha, and Unani – offer holistic, plant-based approaches that may help prevent infections and reduce reliance on antibiotics, thereby supporting efforts to mitigate antimicrobial resistance. Plants such as Neem, Tulsi, Amla, and Turmeric have antimicrobial properties. These may act as natural alternatives or adjuvants to antibiotics, especially for mild infections.
Animals carry germs in their gut, including antimicrobial-resistant germs. These germs can spread between animals, in their environments, and then to people. Protecting the health of animals and the people who work with them is vital.
Tackling AMR requires a coordinated, multisectoral strategy such as the “One Health” approach, which recognises that the health of people, animals, and the environment is interconnected. WHO (Human Health), FAO (Food and Agriculture), United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) (Environmental Health), World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH, formerly OIE) (Animal Health) join this approach.
Rush Leads to Antibiotic Misuse
As cautioned by the Director General of WHO, Antimicrobial resistance is a global health and development threat. It requires urgent multisectoral action. Yes—people’s urgency to “get better fast” is a major driver of antibiotic overuse, which in turn fuels antimicrobial resistance (AMR). This pressure affects both patients and healthcare providers.
Toons: Shreya
Logs: M Sai Baba
ToonLogs
ToonLogs posted on the topic earlier can be accessed at:
