How is India Expanding Lab Capacity to Combat AMR?
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Synopsis
India is making strides to combat antimicrobial resistance (AMR) through expanded lab capacities and environmental surveillance platforms. Union Minister Anupriya Patel emphasizes the urgency of addressing AMR as global health leaders come together to strategize innovative solutions. Discover how these initiatives aim to safeguard public health and strengthen India's response to this critical issue.
Key Takeaways
- India expands lab capabilities to combat AMR.
- National Action Plan integrates One Health principles.
- Collaboration with WHO for global data sharing.
- Rising AMR poses serious public health threats.
- Experts call for international cooperation against AMR.
New Delhi, Nov 29 (NationPress) Recognizing the critical challenge posed by rising antimicrobial resistance (AMR), India has taken significant steps to enhance its laboratory capabilities and environmental surveillance systems to combat drug resistance, stated Anupriya Patel, the Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, on Saturday.
During a two-day conference titled AMR NEXT 2025 held at Amrita Hospital in Faridabad, Patel, alongside international health authorities, researchers, and innovators, discussed strategies to expedite India's policy actions, bolster surveillance, and inspire innovation within human, animal, and environmental health frameworks.
“India acknowledges the urgency of tackling antimicrobial resistance and has implemented a National Action Plan aligned with the One Health principles,” Patel emphasized.
“We have increased laboratory capacity, standardized testing protocols, and interconnected human, animal, and environmental surveillance systems. This integration enables us to identify trends, respond swiftly, and share data with global surveillance networks, including the WHO,” she noted.
AMR is escalating globally at a concerning rate, threatening to undermine decades of medical advancements.
India is grappling with some of the highest levels of bacterial infections globally. The national AMR surveillance data reveals alarming resistance patterns in pathogens such as E. coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, and Acinetobacter baumannii.
While the latest data from ICMR shows a slight increase in E. coli susceptibility to ceftazidime (growing from 19.2% in 2023 to 27.5% in 2024), the persistent rise in resistance to carbapenems and colistin remains a major concern, indicating a reduction in available treatment options.
Experts attribute the surge in India's AMR to several factors, including a high burden of infectious diseases; overuse and misuse of antibiotics in both human and animal healthcare; over-the-counter availability of antibiotics; insufficient diagnostic practices; and pharmaceutical waste contaminating water sources.
These trends are anticipated to impose substantial economic burdens through extended hospitalizations, increased treatment costs, and productivity declines.
“Antimicrobial resistance continues to present a significant and growing challenge to our health systems, elevating mortality rates, lengthening hospital stays, and escalating care costs,” remarked Dr. Sanjeev Singh, Medical Director at the hospital.
Professor Alison Holmes OBE, Leader of the Centres for Antimicrobial Optimisation Network at Imperial College London, called for a “strengthened, coordinated global initiative to enhance our fight against AMR.”
Point of View
It's vital to highlight that India's efforts to combat AMR reflect a growing recognition of this global health threat. The integration of lab capacities and surveillance systems demonstrates a commitment to a comprehensive approach, aligning with international standards. These initiatives not only aim to protect public health but also reinforce India’s role in global health security.
NationPress
29/11/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is antimicrobial resistance (AMR)?
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) occurs when microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites evolve to resist the effects of medications, making treatments less effective.
Why is AMR a concern in India?
AMR is a significant concern in India due to high rates of bacterial infections and troubling resistance patterns, which can impede effective treatment options and increase healthcare costs.
What actions is India taking to combat AMR?
India is expanding laboratory capacities and environmental surveillance platforms, implementing a National Action Plan, and enhancing the integration of health systems to better track and respond to AMR.
How does AMR affect public health?
AMR increases mortality rates, prolongs hospital stays, and raises healthcare costs, posing a substantial burden on health systems and threatening medical advancements.
What is the One Health approach?
The One Health approach recognizes the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health, promoting a comprehensive strategy to address health threats like AMR.
