India is caught in a troubling loop involving deadly superbugs known as carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative (CRGN) bacteria, which are increasingly resistant to essential antibiotics. A study from the Global Antibiotic Research and Development Partnership (GARDP) highlighted that in India, only 7.8% of serious CRGN infections are properly treated, revealing a shocking gap in access to life-saving drugs. This situation is exacerbated by overuse of antibiotics, rendering them less effective, while many patients unable to afford the treatments remain untreated.
Dr. Abdul Gaffar, an infectious disease consultant in Chennai, emphasizes the tragic irony: while efforts to prevent antibiotic overuse are ongoing, individuals in low- and middle-income nations are dying from infections that should be easily manageable. The complexity of tackling CRGN infections underlines the need for improved health systems, affordable access to effective antibiotics, and stricter regulations to curb misuse.
Currently, only a select few antibiotics, such as Tigecycline, are available for combating these infections, falling far short of the demand. Health experts advocate for innovative solutions, like Kerala's "hub-and-spoke approach" to bolster regional healthcare and pooled purchasing to lower drug costs.
Moreover, researchers stress that India can play a pivotal role in the global fight against AMR by advocating for the development of new antibiotics and fostering better data collection to pinpoint healthcare gaps. Without action, continued resistance could undermine modern medicine's ability to effectively manage surgeries and treat common infections.
