Data-Driven scientific studies needed for Antimicrobial Resistance post COVID-19 pandemic

Raipur: The fourth National Conference and Workshop on Antimicrobial Stewardship in India, 'ASPICON-2022', was inaugurated in All India Institutes of Medical Sciences on Sunday.

Experts from premier medical institutions stated that there is an increase in antimicrobial resistance post-COVID-19 and asked for more data-driven studies, specifically from the Indian perspective.

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Padma Shri Prof. (Dr.) Balram Bhargava termed the Indian healthcare revolution as one of the most incredible things that happened during the last 75 years and urged Indian healthcare professionals to lead the world in combating the pandemic.

While inaugurating the Conference 'Bad Bugs, No Drugs: Time to Escalate AMSP Measures', Chief Guest Prof. Bhargava discussed a comprehensive view on the topic 'India Fights COVID-19: Unfolding Challenges and Facts'. Prof. Bhargava said that apart from IT, the Mobile revolution, or Bollywood and cricket, there are numerous other fields to which India has contributed tremendously. It includes space science, nuclear program, green revolution, white revolution, blue revolution, and healthcare facilities provided in remote areas during the COVID-19 pandemic.

'India is providing 60% of generic drugs and 60% of total vaccines across the globe. Every 6th doctor and every 5th nurse is from India. Our healthcare institutions have resources and infrastructure to boost the research to develop newer solutions during challenging times, he said.

Prof. Bhargava elaborated on India's tryst with COVID-19 from the very beginning of 2019 up to 2022. 'Strong Indian leadership gave calibrated, proactive, pre-emptive, and graded responses to test-track and treat COVID-19. It resulted in the countrywide scaling up of diagnostic labs from one to more than 3000 within a year, the production of diagnostic kits, and four rounds of Sero surveys. We have prepared treatment/diagnostic guidelines and public health advisories and designed innovative service delivery of vaccines through drones in remote areas. The challenging time of the pandemic has proved our vaccine manufacturing superpower, IT prowess, and citizen participation through self-help groups and local government, he said.

Prof. (Dr.) Nitin M. Nagarkar, Director, said that there is a need to conduct Indian-specific research in antimicrobial resistance after COVID-19. 'Young professionals should come forward and lead new research and development for the betterment of society, Prof. Nagarkar said. Earlier, Prof. Padma Das, Organizing Chairperson, welcomed all the guests. Organizing Secretary Dr. Tushar Jagzape presented a vote of thanks. The Conference discussed various aspects, including the Pharmacology perspective on AMSP: Antibiotic consumption and audits by Dr. Nusrat Shafiq from PGI Chandigarh and Antimicrobial Resistance increase in post-COVID-19 by Dr. Debabrata Dash from AIIMS, Manglagiri.

Prof. Bhargava, Prof. Nagarkar, and other guests also released a souvenir on this occasion. Prof. Nagarkar felicitated Prof. Bhargava during the Conference. The inaugural session and Different scientific sessions were attended by Prof. Alok C. Agrawal, Dean (Academics), Prof. Vinay R. Pandit, Prof. Anudita Bhargava, and Dr. Ujjwala Gaikwad along with 500 delegates from across the country in hybrid mode.

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