India Expands AMR Surveillance as Drug Resistance Rises: Anupriya Patel
India has intensified its national response to Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) by expanding laboratory capacity and strengthening environmental surveillance platforms, Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Anupriya Patel said on Saturday. Speaking at AMR NEXT 2025, a two-day global conclave at Amrita Hospital, Faridabad, she highlighted the growing threat of AMR and India’s efforts to combat it through coordinated action across the human, animal, and environmental health spectrum.
Patel emphasised that India’s National Action Plan on AMR is rooted in the global One Health framework, integrating surveillance, research, and policy across sectors. “We expanded laboratory capacity, standardised testing methods, and linked human, animal, and environmental surveillance platforms,” she said, noting that this has improved India’s contribution to WHO-led global AMR monitoring systems.
Global AMR trends continue to worsen, with drug-resistant infections threatening to reverse decades of progress. India, burdened with some of the world’s highest bacterial infection rates, faces growing resistance in pathogens like E. coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, and Acinetobacter baumannii.
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According to national surveillance data, E. coli’s susceptibility to ceftazidime improved from 19.2% in 2023 to 27.5% in 2024. However, rising resistance to last-resort antibiotics such as carbapenems and colistin remains deeply concerning. Experts at the conclave highlighted major AMR drivers: excessive antibiotic use in humans and animals, over-the-counter sales, poor diagnostic stewardship, and pharmaceutical waste contaminating water systems.
Dr Sanjeev Singh, Medical Director at Amrita Hospital, warned that AMR continues to “increase mortality, prolong hospital stays, and escalate healthcare costs.” Professor Alison Holmes OBE of Imperial College London called for stronger global cooperation, stating that international collaboration is essential to prevent AMR from becoming an unmanageable crisis.
What’s Next
With India strengthening surveillance, policymakers aim to boost research, expand rapid diagnostic access, regulate antibiotic use across sectors, and reinforce wastewater treatment norms. AMR NEXT 2025 is expected to generate actionable recommendations for government and industry stakeholders.
Final Thoughts from TheTrendingPeople.com
India’s renewed focus on antimicrobial resistance reflects a crucial shift in public health preparedness. As drug resistance accelerates worldwide, the country’s investment in surveillance, diagnostics, and One Health integration demonstrates a proactive approach to a complex challenge. AMR threatens lives, increases treatment costs, and undermines modern medicine — making early intervention essential. The discussions at AMR NEXT 2025 reinforce that India cannot fight this crisis alone. Coordinated global efforts, responsible antibiotic use, and strong governance will be pivotal in preventing a post-antibiotic era. India’s expanding infrastructure is a promising step, but urgent collective action remains vital.