Irresponsible usage of antibiotics which are employed by the common masses to treat common bacterial infections are leading to several cases where the "action of the antibiotic which has been administered for the concerned disease, although it does not have effect on the disease" due to evolution of Antibiotic Resistance (AMR).
"The main purpose of such pandemic scale occurred due to gradual adaptation of bacteria towards the antibiotics given to the patients" Associate Professor Dr. O Joychandra (Pharmcology) of Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS) told Pratidin Time.
The Ex-Deputy Director (Health) Joychandra also informed that treatment caused by these resistant bacteria also has economic implications as well for treatment of such diseases caused by such bacteria are quite harder to treat leading to expensive medical costs.
Such is the intensity of this global pandemic that a report published by World Health Organisation (WHO), in April 2019, predicted drug resistant diseases could cause 10 million deaths by 2050 and push 24 million people into extreme poverty by 2030 as part of its treatment. The report also made urgent appeal that focus on AMR is required to avert this dangerous resistance crisis.
AMR is accelerated due to misuse of antibiotics; incomplete consumption for course of time, Cardio Surgeon Dr. Lukram stated "Antibiotic Resistance can affect anyone irrespective of age and country."
Dr. Joychandra also concurred saying "these jeopardising global health issue matter resulted from multiple causes particularly self-administration of drugs for common diseases"
Instead of particular antibiotics administered to kill particular bacteria, purchase of drugs over the counter, self-medication, wrongful advices and administering medicines without prescription of doctors, on the contrary has led to evolution of organisms that are resistant to antibiotics, said Dr. Lukram.
Dr. Lukram also claimed that given the negative side of using antibiotics, he has not prescribed any antibiotic to some 500 patients he had examined except for those who has fever.
Simply put, the senior doctor said, in the context of Tuberculosis (TB), a communicable disease, the earlier drug used to cure it has become developed its adaptability to the bacteria which causes it and accordingly a new drug Multi-drug resistant TB has emerged to cure TB.
Meanwhile, officials associated with State TB Control Cell informed that the number of such cases has increased from at least 2 or 3 last year to that of five this year
Behavioural changes are very much necessary to check the emergence of Antibiotic Resistance bacteria, said Dr. Lukram.
Treatable infections such as pneumonia, Tuberculosis, are sometimes impossible to treat as antibiotics becomes less effective, even to the extent of minor injuries getting the ability to kill individuals.
Recognising the threat posed by AMR, a global action plan on Antimicrobial Resistance was endorsed at the World Health Assembly in May 2015 following which it was agreed that policy makers should focus on improving awareness and understanding and strengthening surveillance, as per reports compiled by international based organisations.
As of maintaining data, Dr. Joychandra remarked "the state government is trying to maintain a data on this matter by conducting survey as well but has not received report and cooperation from stakeholders."
Medical Officer N Vidyarani of District Hospital Kakching, says it is very unfortunate that "no quality record are being maintained" and even if it is there, "many are reluctant to report."
-By Phanjoubam Chingkheinganba
