Initiatives to Enhance AMR Surveillance: Health Minister informs Parliament

He further informed that India enrolled in the Global AMR Surveillance System (GLASS) in 2017 and has submitted National AMR surveillance data from NARS-Net to GLASS since 2018.

The minister was responding to the questions posed by Shri Jose K. Mani, who sought information on the steps the Government is taking to control antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in the country. He further asked whether there is any plan to regulate the sale of antibiotics and ensure that prescriptions are mandatory for their purchase. He also inquired about the awareness campaigns the Government is running to educate the public and healthcare professionals about AMR.

Minister Jadhav mentioned that the Government of India has taken various steps to address the issue of AMR, including the launch of the Red Line awareness campaign on Antimicrobial Resistance, H and H1 of the Drugs Rules, 1945, and introducing National Treatment guidelines for judicious use of antibiotics. Awareness generation materials on AMR include posters, videos, and audio jingles on judicious use of antibiotics and on prevention of infections through hand hygiene, and are made available for use by stakeholders. The media material in 12 local languages has also been developed for the dissemination of AMR-related information and shared with States & UTs.

MoHFW has initiated “National Programme on Antimicrobial Resistance Containment”. Under this programme, State medical college labs are strengthened in a phased manner for AMR surveillance and containment activities. Moreover, Capacity building of the labs on basic procedures in Bacteriology across the network has also been done. Various SOPs have been developed, which are updated on a regular basis, and all the sentinel site laboratories are provided with training on the use of these SOPs. Training is also provided on AMR data management using the WHONET software. The quality of data submitted under the National AMR surveillance network is ensured through the External Quality Assessment Scheme (EQAS) conducted by NCDC.

Support has been provided to 3 States to strengthen State AMR Surveillance Networks and to 6 additional States to establish State-level AMR surveillance networks. AMR National Reference Laboratory (NRL) for bacterial pathogens and fungal pathogens has been established at NCDC, Delhi, and Vallabhbhai Patel Chest Institute, Delhi, respectively. The NRLs are conducting EQAS and AMR Alert confirmation of the isolates submitted quarterly by the sites. National Guidelines for Infection Prevention and Control in Healthcare Facilities have been developed and uploaded to the NCDC website. NCDC has conducted state-level IPC training of trainers from different States/ UTs in 3 batches, stated the minister.

National Action Plan on Containment of Antimicrobial Resistance (NAP-AMR) has been launched, which aims to address the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance in India through a multi-sectoral approach, focusing on improving awareness, strengthening surveillance, and optimizing antimicrobial use.