A healthcare NGO launched on October 3 an awareness drive against overuse of antibiotics that leads to human body resisting its effectiveness.

NGO Heart Care Foundation of India (HCFI) launched the drive in association with the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and WHO. The campaign was taken up as a precursor to the 'Perfect Health Mela' to be held later this month, said a statement from the NGO. "Considering the growing incidence of antibiotic resistance, there is an urgent need to raise awareness on the issue," Padma Shri awardee, Dr K K Aggarwal, President of HCFI, said.

Antibiotics are different from all other classes of drugs in a very important way. The more a person uses them, the less effective they can become. For a country like India, where over-prescription and misuse of antibiotics is rampant, it is only a matter of time before the resistant bacteria win, he warned. 

"Several of these medicines can be obtained without a prescription. What further complicates the problem is inequalities in access to medicine and poor sanitation services. Antibiotics should not be given unless absolutely necessary," Dr Aggarwal said.

Each year, an estimated 750,000 people die from antimicrobial-resistant (AMR) infections, and the death toll will climb unless the global health community acts decisively. It is estimated that by 2050, as many as 10 million people could die annually from AMR complications. This campaign therefore seeks to address this growing concern and focus on strategies to prevent irrational use of antibiotics in the country, he said.

Dr Sunil Gupta, Additional Director and Head Division of Microbiology, NCDC, said that a culture sensitivity test can indicate which antibiotic is effective in what case. It is imperative that a second dose of antibiotic be given only when the result of the culture test are obtained, he said. 

Awareness needs to be generated that viral infections and most skin problems do not necessitate the use of antibiotics. The latter should also not be given in combinations unless the culture shows a resistant pattern of infections, he said. "We must remember that antibiotics are not sweets or chocolates but rather scheduled and toxic drugs that can cause harm if misused," he said.

In his message Dr Sujeet K Singh, Director NCDC, said that in the last 30 years no new antibiotic molecule has been discovered or invented globally despite research going on in the area. "As per the WHO, the most critical group of the resistance species includes multi-drug resistant bacteria that pose a threat in hospitals, nursing homes, and among patients whose care requires devices such as ventilators and blood catheters." 

"These are Acinetobacter, Pseudomonas and various Enterobacteriaceae (including Klebsiella, E coli, Serratia, and Proteus). They can cause severe and often deadly infections such as bloodstream infections and pneumonia," he said.

In its first global report on antibiotic resistance, the WHO has warned that "a post-antibiotic era in which common infections and minor injuries can kill far from being an apocalyptic fantasy, is instead a very real possibility for the 21st." 

The Perfect Health Mela will be held from October 23 to 27 at the Talkatora Indoor Stadium. It is a one-of-its-kind event held every year with a mission to generate all-around awareness on health. In its 25th edition, the event expects participation from over 1,00,000 individuals from all walks of life.

"We, at the Heart Care Foundation of India, are committed to ensuring the larger goal of affordable healthcare for all and the Perfect Health Mela is a medium to do that," Dr Aggrawal said. The theme for the Perfect Health Mela this year is 'Affordable Healthcare'. Visitors and stakeholders alike can look forward to various attractions this year apart from the inter-school and college events and health camps, he said.