India, July 03 : India has intensified its efforts to tackle antimicrobial resistance (AMR) by expanding surveillance of drug-resistant infections across government and private healthcare institutions. The initiative aims to strengthen data collection, improve antibiotic stewardship and support evidence-based treatment protocols.
Officials said additional hospitals and diagnostic laboratories have been integrated into the national monitoring network to track resistance patterns among commonly reported bacterial infections. The expanded surveillance will help identify emerging trends and guide physicians in prescribing effective antibiotics.
Health experts warned that the misuse and overuse of antibiotics remain among the biggest contributors to antimicrobial resistance. They stressed that unnecessary self-medication and incomplete treatment courses continue to reduce the effectiveness of life-saving medicines.
The government is also encouraging hospitals to establish antibiotic stewardship committees that will monitor prescription practices and promote rational drug use. Training programmes for healthcare professionals are being conducted to reinforce infection prevention and responsible antimicrobial prescribing.
Public health specialists believe stronger surveillance and improved awareness can significantly reduce the burden of resistant infections while protecting the long-term effectiveness of existing antibiotics. Authorities said coordinated efforts between hospitals, laboratories and policymakers will remain central to the country’s AMR strategy.
