Kerala's Fight Against Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)
Q: What is Operation AMRITH?
A: Operation AMRITH is a Kerala government initiative aimed at ending the over-the-counter (OTC) sale of antibiotics without a doctor's prescription. Key components include:
Surprise Raids: Checking pharmacies for compliance.
Enforcement: Strict action against pharmacies selling antibiotics illegally.
Public Hotline: Enables citizens to report violations.
Q: Why is preventing the OTC sale of antibiotics important?
A: Overuse and misuse of antibiotics without proper medical guidance contribute to the rise of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR). This means bacteria and other microbes become resistant to the very drugs meant to fight them.
Q: What is Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)?
A: AMR occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites evolve resistance to the medications (antibiotics, antifungals, etc.) designed to fight them. This renders these medicines ineffective, making infections harder to treat.
Q: Why is AMR a serious global problem?
A: AMR has major consequences:
Difficult-to-Treat Infections: Infections become increasingly hard to cure, leading to longer illnesses, higher healthcare costs, and even death.
Threat to Modern Medicine: Surgeries, transplants, and other advanced medical procedures rely on antibiotics to be successful. AMR undermines their safety.
Q: Is Kerala the only region addressing AMR?
A: No. Kerala's efforts align with India's National Action Plan on AMR and broader global initiatives. However, they are considered a leader in this fight due to:
Early State Action Plan: KARSAP (Kerala Anti-Microbial Resistance Strategic Action Plan) launched in 2018.
Multi-Sector Approach: KARSAP addresses AMR in human health, animal health, and the environment.
Q: What are some other initiatives Kerala has taken to combat AMR?
A: They include:
Antibiotic Literate Kerala Campaign: Raises public awareness.
AMR Surveillance: Networks like KARS-NET monitor antibiotic resistance patterns.
Responsible Disposal: The PROUD program helps safely dispose of unused antibiotics.
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