India Reaffirms Global Commitment to Combat Antimicrobial Resistance at UNGA Session

GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 27th Sept. At the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), India reiterated its commitment to addressing the global threat of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR).

Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Anupriya Patel, represented India at the “High-Level Meeting on Antimicrobial Resistance” convened by the President of the General Assembly, emphasizing the urgent need for global cooperation in the fight against AMR.

During her address, Patel highlighted the grave danger AMR poses to global public health, stating that it undermines decades of progress made in modern medicine. She called for the integration of AMR containment strategies into broader health programs, including those focused on pandemic preparedness, health system strengthening, and universal health coverage. The focus, she stressed, should be on prevention and mitigation rather than merely surveillance.

India’s ongoing efforts to combat AMR were underscored, particularly since the launch of its National Action Plan on AMR (NAP AMR) in 2017. Patel noted that India has expanded surveillance networks across human and animal sectors, reduced hospital-acquired infections, and promoted responsible antimicrobial use. Infection prevention and control have also been strengthened through nationwide training programs for healthcare workers, alongside improvements in sanitation and hygiene under the Clean India Mission.

The minister further detailed India’s Antimicrobial Stewardship (AMS) Program, which aims to curb unnecessary antibiotic prescriptions, and its focus on innovation and operational research to mitigate AMR’s environmental impact. Additionally, India’s commitment to inter-sectoral collaboration was emphasized, with the “One Health” framework guiding efforts across human, animal, and environmental sectors.

Patel expressed appreciation for the UN member states’ efforts in drafting the High-Level Ministerial Declaration on AMR and reaffirmed India’s dedication to combating AMR through comprehensive national and global initiatives.

“India remains fully committed to addressing the AMR challenge through sectoral and inter-sectoral efforts. By working together, we can mitigate the risks posed by AMR and safeguard public health globally,” she concluded.