'Antibiotic resistance alarming threat to global public health

Former President of India A P J Abdul Kalam today called for an urgent and coordinated action across all government sectors and society to prevent the threat posed by 'antibiotic resistance' in health care.
Speaking on the eve of 'Doctors Day', Kalam discussed about how the world was moving towards "post-antibiotic era", in which common infections and minor injuries, which have been treatable for decades can once again become serious.
"The 2014 report of World Health Organisation (WHO) on global surveillance of antimicrobial resistance reveals that antibiotic resistance is no longer a prediction for the future, it is happening right now, across the world and is putting at risk the ability to treat common infections in the community and hospitals," he said at an event of AIIMS organised by Resident Doctors Association.

Kalam said that antibiotic resistance in health care settings is an increasingly alarming threat to global public health that requires action across all government sectors and society.
"Widespread use of antibiotics promotes the spread of antibiotic resistance. Smart use of antibiotics is the key to controlling its spread," he said.
The eminent scientist also threw some light on the new diseases that are jumping the human animal species barrier as a result of environmental disruption, global warming and progressive urbanisation of the planet, while stressing on the "invention of new rapid diagnostic tests".
Kalam expressed concerns over rising medical costs, both in developing and developed countries.

"Medical costs are of concern, both in developing and developed countries. How remarkable it will be if Medical Education Technology Division of AIIMS includes the mission of design and development of medical devices by harnessing the medical engineering communities of the country," he said.