Lucknow: Doctors speak on irrational use of antibiotics at first foundation day oration of KGMU

Lucknow: The first foundation day oration of King George's Medical University's microbiology department was held on Sunday to celebrate its 35th anniversary, where various doctors spoke about the irrational use of antibiotics. 

The event was held to commemorate the completion of 35 years, since the department of microbiology was established at KGMU. The chief guest of the event was Lt. gen. (Dr) Bipin Puri, the vice-chancellor of KGMU, and the orator was Prof. Ashok Rattan, a former professor at AIIMS, New Delhi. Prof. Rattan is a medical microbiologist by profession, who was conferred with the APJ Abdul kalam Award for Lifetime Contribution to Medical Sciences in 2018, and has held various important positions in academics.  

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The topic of the oration was 'Tackling the invisible pandemic before it becomes the invincible pandemic', in which the doctors spoke about the problems associated with the irrational use of bacteria stating that it may eventually make the body resistant to it gradually. 

Professor Ashok Ratan, former professor, AIIMS, New Delhi said, "Antibiotics are important but its irrational use could leave us with little or no option... Bacteria become resistant with increased consumption of antibiotics." 

Dr Sheetal Verma, the organising secretary of the event, according to the Hindustan Times said, "Antibiotic use needs to be guided particularly among patients. Irrational use, including self-medication, will develop resistance leaving less option to be used in the future. In fact, antibiotic is to be used only in specific medical condition and after evaluation by a medical practitioner. This helps in speedy recovery too and avoids unwarranted resistance in the human body."

Humans make up for 30% consumption of the antibiotic, whereas the remaining 70% goes into animal feed for growth purposes, which is indirectly consumed by humans when they consume them as food, said the doctors. 

Talking about how resistant bacteria reaches humans by food, Professor Ratan said, "The sensitive bacteria will die but resistant will remain and can possibly travel to humans as food. About 33% of patients receive a longer duration of treatment than required." 

The department of microbiology, which was established as an independent department in 1987, has contributed immensely to teaching, training, patient care and research in microbiology. The department currently comprises ten independent divisions, ten faculty positions, six MD seats and three PDCC seats. 

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