Thiruvananthapuram, Nov 18 (UNI) Kerala will observe the World Health Organization’s Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Awareness Week from November 18 to 24 with an intensive statewide campaign promoting the responsible use of antibiotics.
This year’s theme, “Act Now: Protect Our Present, Secure Our Future,” highlights the urgent global call to curb antibiotic misuse and preserve their effectiveness for generations to come.
Health Department officials urged the public to actively participate in the awareness programmes, noting that antibiotic misuse has become one of the most serious health threats worldwide. They stressed that timely corrective action is essential to safeguard both current and future health. Antimicrobial resistance occurs when bacteria evolve to withstand antibiotic treatment due to misuse or overuse, making infections harder to treat and increasing the risk of severe complications.
Health Minister Veena George said Kerala has been at the forefront of AMR-control initiatives and has been recognised by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) for its systematic interventions.
Under the Kerala Antimicrobial Resistance Strategic Action Plan (KARSAP), the state has implemented several landmark measures, including the publication of India’s first continuous four-year antibiogram, strict controls on the sale of antibiotics without prescriptions, and the transformation of hospitals into Antibiotic Smart Hospitals. These efforts have resulted in a 20–30 percent reduction in antibiotic consumption across Kerala.
A QR-code-based 10-question survey will be launched at the state and district levels to assess public awareness on appropriate antibiotic use.
The Health Department warned that irresponsible antibiotic use could have severe consequences. If antibiotics lose their potency, even minor infections could become life-threatening, while treatments for diseases such as tuberculosis, pneumonia, and cancer may fail.
Surgeries and childbirth procedures could also become riskier. Officials reiterated that antibiotics are effective only against bacterial infections—not viral illnesses such as fever, cold, or flu.
The public has been advised to avoid taking antibiotics without a doctor’s prescription, refrain from demanding them unnecessarily, and not use leftover or expired medicines.
Sharing antibiotics prescribed for someone else could be dangerous, and improper disposal of unused medicines could harm the environment. In poultry, livestock, and aquaculture, antibiotics must be used strictly under veterinary supervision and never for growth promotion.
The department also emphasised that preventing infections remains the most effective protection. Regular handwashing and timely vaccinations can significantly reduce the need for antibiotics.
Kerala’s AMR Awareness Week aims to strengthen antibiotic literacy and promote a safer, healthier future for all.
