ICMR Study: A recent study by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has raised concerns over the economic and health impacts associated with antibiotic resistance. The study revealed that antibiotic resistance in the country has increased to such an extent that people are forced to borrow money for treatment.
The report said that in case of germs resistant to common antibiotics, doctors are forced to use new expensive medicines. Drug-resistant patients require admission to ICU, further increasing the cost of treatment. The study found that infections are no longer limited to hospitals, but are also spreading in the community and areas such as poultry. Indiscriminate use of antibiotics has increased this danger.
Economic impact on families
The study found that 46.5% of families had to borrow money to cover the cost of treatment. 33.1% people faced financial toxicity. 11.4% families had to sell or mortgage their property. In addition, many families had to cut down on food consumption. Treatment of drug-resistant infections in private hospitals can cost around Rs 2,80,000. Whereas, in charity trust hospitals it is around Rs 17,800.
Indiscriminate use of antibiotics
The report said that antibiotics are being used indiscriminately, especially in the community and the poultry industry. All hospitals should adopt antibiotic stewardship programs. The government should enforce strict rules for antibiotic use in the community and health sector. Doctors and general public should be made aware about the proper use of antibiotics.
What is a superbug?
Superbugs are those microbes (such as bacteria, viruses, or fungi) that become resistant to antibiotics and other antimicrobial drugs. Medicines do not affect them, which makes their treatment very difficult.
expert opinion
Dr Kamini Walia, senior scientist at ICMR, said the study was conducted to assess the incremental cost of antimicrobial resistance. “Our study found that treating infections with drug-resistant germs in India is extremely expensive, and this is a huge burden on families. But imposes a heavy financial burden.
Dr. Rahul Pandit, intensivist of HN Reliance Hospital, Girgaon, said that antibiotic resistance in India has reached dangerous levels. Nowadays, a large number of cases of resistant infections are coming. He said that all hospitals will have to create management programs to promote proper use of antibiotics. Although many hospitals have adopted management programs due to government efforts, maintaining them remains a challenge.
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