One Health Approach to Combat AMR

ICAR-Central institute of Fisheries Technology, Cochin observed ‘World Antibiotic Awareness Week’ (WAAW) during 12-18 November, 2018. As a part of it lectures were delivered by Scientists of Microbiology, Fermentation and Biotechnology Division to a group of seafood processing technologists and students on 16 November, 2018. On 19 November, 2018 Dr. Rajesh Bhatia, Regional Technical Advisor for Anti Microbial Resistance (AMR), FAO delivered an invited talk on “One health approach to combat AMR”. The lectured covered the impact of AMR on global health, economy and development. It is estimated that by 2050, 28 million people will fall in poverty due to ANMR. Dr. Bhatia also suggested some possible solutions such as discovery of new drugs, preventing emergence of resistance by reducing selection pressure by appropriate control measures, refinement, replacement and reduction in the use of available antimicrobial agents to combat development of AMR. He also mentioned that antimicrobials are used more in animals than in human beings all over the world and the co-existence of human, animal and environment is very essential. Even when one health approach recognizes these relationships, there exist many barriers hindering the implementation of the same. Overall, the lecture threw light on the emerging problems due to the irresponsible use of antibiotics. He also said that the need of the hour is to join hands of government and research institutes to take essential steps. Take home message was “The more we use the antibiotics, more we lose them’. The lecture was attended by Dr. C.N. Ravishankar, Director, ICAR-CIFT, Dr. Parijat Goswami, Head, Microbiology Division, Gujarat Cancer Research Institute, Ahmedabad, Shri Rajesh Dubey, National Operation and Programme Officer, FAO, Heads of Divisions, Scientists and Research Scholars of ICAR-CIFT. Dr. Ravishankar thanked Dr. Bhatia for enlightening the Scientists o ICAR-CIFT on AMR and its implications.