Large-scale awareness needed to tackle AMR, says Dr Bharati

The issue of anti-microbial resistance (AMR) is a multifaceted, complex problem with consequences for individuals and healthcare systems, Dr Bharati Pravin Pawar, India’s Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, said during her participation in the Third Global Conference on antimicrobial resistance.

“Awareness, enhanced surveillance measures, strong infection prevention and control, and necessary investments are key to control AMR,” she said.

She highlighted India’s high-level commitment to tackle AMR holistically and mentioned the country’s National Action Plan (NAP) for AMR launched in April 2017 to improve awareness, enhance surveillance measures, strengthen infection prevention and control, and promote investments to control AMR.

In her statement, she urged all countries to commit to a strong political will, promote inter-sectoral coordination between public and private sectors, and comprehensively strengthen the healthcare systems worldwide to tackle AMR.

She shared India’s experience while participating in the ‘Ministerial panel discussion on AMR and the political response’ and called for global commitment to tackle the issue.

During her stay in Muscat, Dr Pawar met Dr Hilal bin Ali al Sabti, Minister of Health, and discussed ways to deepen the already excellent cooperation in the area of healthcare.

She also had a fruitful interaction with the prominent members of the Indian community and invited them to participate “enthusiastically in the Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas (PBD)”, being organised in January 2023 in Indore, Bhopal.