IMA’s Certification For Hospitals For Best Practices In Antimicrobial Usage
Antimicrobial resistance, the resistance of bacteria, fungi, and parasites emerged as gravest threats to global health
IMA’s Certification For Hospitals For Best Practices In Antimicrobial Usage
India’s antibiotic prescription rate of 412 for every 1,000 people is alarmingly high -- a factor that contributes to development of resistance among infectious pathogens
New Delhi: In a bid to combat rising antimicrobial resistance (AMR), the Indian Medical Association (IMA) has launched the first of its kind globally “IMA AMR Smart Hospital” certification initiative that seeks to promote accountability and best practices in antimicrobial usage.
Antimicrobial resistance, the resistance of bacteria, fungi, and parasites to antimicrobial agents, has emerged as one of the gravest threats to global health.
It is a leading cause of death worldwide, with 4.9 million fatalities attributed to AMR in 2019 alone. In India, the situation is particularly dire, with 297,000 deaths directly attributable to AMR and over one million deaths associated with AMR in the same year.
“The rising prevalence of AMR is undoing nearly a century of medical advancements. If not addressed, we will be faced with an era where even common infections become untreatable and fatal,” said Dr. Narendra Saini, Chairman of the IMA AMR Standing Committee.
India’s antibiotic prescription rate of 412 for every 1,000 people is alarmingly high -- a factor that contributes significantly to the development of resistance among infectious pathogens.
The innovative programme launched by IMA aims to combat the rising threat of AMR by implementing advanced Antimicrobial Stewardship (AMS) and Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) strategies in healthcare facilities across India. This initiative focuses on strengthening AMS and IPC activities, which include monitoring AMR patterns, improving antimicrobial stewardship, and preventing the spread of resistant pathogens within healthcare facilities.
“Our hospitals are reservoirs of pathogens, making it imperative to implement strong IPC and AMS protocols. With this initiative, we aim to set benchmarks for safe and effective healthcare delivery in the fight against AMR,” said Dr. Anilkumar J Nayak, Honorary Secretary General of IMA.
