Kerala has become the first state to roll out the country’s first district-level antibiogram through a strengthened hub and spoke model as part of CARSAP (Kerala Antimicrobial Resistance Strategic Action Plan) to prevent overuse of antibiotics. Antibiogram was released by Ernakulam district. AMR in all districts and blocks. Committees were formed in Kerala for the first time in the country. As a result of their work, Ernakulam district was able to release it. District-level antibiogram was released by Health Minister Veena George in the CARSAP review meeting. World AMR In connection with the awareness week and as part of the Antibiotic Literate Kerala project, the minister also released a book coordinating the activities done by Kerala so far. This Notification was published on 20.02.2024.
The Health Minister shared plans to release antibiograms for all districts in the coming years to tackle antimicrobial resistance (AMR). A new lab system has been set up in 11 districts, and efforts to address AMR in hospitals are underway through the CARSAP program. It’s crucial to understand AMR trends in all hospitals, not just big ones. AMR isn’t just a human health issue; it affects animal husbandry, fisheries, and food too. The meeting discussed strategies to combat AMR, including Operation Amrit to reduce antibiotic overuse. Medical stores now display posters stating antibiotics need a doctor’s prescription, and inspections are being tightened. To make antibiotics easily identifiable, they’re being distributed in blue envelopes in Ernakulam and will expand statewide. Antibiotic Smart Hospitals will get special recognition. The meeting highlighted the need to address AMR in various sectors like fish and poultry farming. It’s vital to work together to address antibiotic misuse, which extends beyond healthcare to agriculture. Bacteria and genes resistant to antibiotics have even been found in environmental samples, showing the need for urgent action.
