Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a rapidly escalating crisis that poses a grave threat to public health worldwide. What are the major contributing factors to the growing problem of antimicrobial resistance, and what steps can be taken to address this global health threat?

- Rapidly escalating crisis - WHO listed in 10 threats to Global Public Health. - It also warned that AMR will reverse the achievements that we have made so far in antibiotics. - 2 out of 5 Indians are resistant to at least 2 antibiotics.

Reasons - (1) Over the counter sale of antibiotics. - (2) Large use of antibiotics in livestock diseases. (e.g. colistin) - (3) Mass bathing as a ritual. - (4) Poor hospital hygiene also leads to the development of AMR. - (5) Patients do not complete the antibiotics doses and leave it in between. - (6) Quackery in rural areas -> recommends antibiotics indiscriminately. Steps taken - (1) "Red line campaign" of WHO in dealing with AMR - (2) GLASS report of WHO - (3) Following 'One-Health' Approach - (4) National Action Plan on AMR for dealing with AMR step by step

Steps that can be taken: - (1) Restricting use of antibiotics in livestock sector. - (2) Compulsory attachment of prescriptions for taking medicines, even at online centres. - (3) Generating awareness among the people about the rising threat of AMR. - (4) Utilising the capacity of PHCs for the same.