Modi on Antibiotic Resistance: PM Narendra Modi on Sunday expressed serious concern over the increasing misuse of antibiotics and the resulting threat of antibiotic resistance. In his radio program ‘Mann Ki Baat’, he clearly stated that “antibiotics are not medicines to be taken indiscriminately.”
The Prime Minister cited a recent report by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), which indicated that many antibiotics are no longer effective against common illnesses like pneumonia and urinary tract infections. He said this trend is a cause for concern for everyone, and if not stopped in time, treatment will become even more difficult.
What did PM Modi say?
PM Modi explained that using antibiotics without a doctor’s consultation is the biggest reason for this problem. He warned that the belief that “one pill will cure every illness” is making infections stronger than the medicines themselves. This is why bacteria are becoming resistant to drugs. He appealed to people to stop self-medicating, especially with antibiotics. The Prime Minister said that it is essential to consult a doctor before taking any medicine for any illness. He emphasized that responsible use is crucial not only for individual health but also for society, to preserve the effectiveness of life-saving medicines.
What do experts say?
Health experts have already warned that antimicrobial resistance is becoming one of India’s biggest public health challenges. According to the ICMR, the use of antibiotics without a prescription is rapidly exacerbating this problem, which could make even common infections difficult to treat.
On this, Dr. Arun Sidram Kharat, Professor of Microbiology at Jawaharlal Nehru University, says that antimicrobial resistance has become one of the biggest global health threats of the 21st century. He explained that the indiscriminate use of antibiotics delays treatment, increases costs, and forces doctors to resort to stronger drugs, which also have more side effects. They warned that if concrete steps are not taken in time, it is estimated that by 2050, antimicrobial resistance could become one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Therefore, we need to be very careful in its use, as it can have detrimental consequences later on.
