National media workshop in Delhi calls for urgent action on AMR

2025-08-27

Health experts, media professionals, and advocates gathered in Indias's capital for a critical national media workshop on antimicrobial resistance (AMR), highlighting an urgent global health threat that could claim 10 million lives annually by 2050 if left unchecked.

Dr S S Lal, Director of ReAct Asia Pacific, opened the workshop with a stark warning about the escalating crisis. He explained:

“Antimicrobial resistance occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites change over time and no longer respond to medicines.”

“This makes infections harder to treat and increases the risk of disease spread, severe illness, and death. Antibiotic resistance is currently linked to around 5 million deaths annually.”

Dr Lal reminded participants that penicillin, discovered in 1928, saved millions of lives but resistance to penicillin was reported soon after its widespread use began in the early 1940s.

He concluded the opening:

“Resistance is not new – but our inaction in the face of it is dangerous.”

Media’s crucial role in turning the tide

Shobha Shukla, SDG-3 Lead Discussant at the UN High-Level Political Forum 2025 and Chairperson of the Global AMR Media Alliance (GAMA), emphasized that AMR is among the top 10 global health threats and a challenge to both food security and the Sustainable Development Goals.

She thanked journalists from the Global South for their persistence in covering AMR despite resource limitations and announced the launch of the Indian chapter of GAMA, formally called the India Media Alliance on AMR, during the workshop. This chapter aims to build a sustained media movement, connect journalists with technical experts, and amplify the voices of affected communities.

She said:

“Media while reporting numbers or data should also connect them to people’s lives. That’s how we change behaviors and influence policy,”

A human face to the crisis

The workshop put a human face on AMR statistics through the powerful testimony of Bhakti Chavan, a survivor of extensively drug-resistant TB (XDR-TB) and member of the WHO AMR Survivors Task Force. Having contracted one of the most severe forms of tuberculosis with very limited treatment options, Chavan’s story illustrated the real-world impact of antimicrobial resistance. She said:

“If infection prevention and control had been optimal at all healthcare settings, in our society, communities, and homes, no one should get infected with a preventable disease like TB,”

She is now serving as a passionate advocate for awareness and prevention after her successful treatment.

Multiple fronts of the battle

Dr Narinder Saini, former Secretary General of the Indian Medical Association and Chair of its AMR Standing Committee, warned that without immediate action, “by 2050 almost 10 million people could die from AMR every year.”  This projection underscores the workshop’s central message about the urgency of coordinated response efforts.

The discussion revealed that community-based antimicrobial use represents a significant challenge, with Dr Sangeeta Sharma from DSPRUD noting that 80% of antimicrobial use occurs in communities, often without proper prescriptions. She advocated for the 7th edition of the Standard Treatment Guidelines to support more rational prescribing practices.

Dr Sarabjit Chadha from FIND stressed the critical importance of accurate diagnosis, stating:

“Without the right diagnosis, there can be no right treatment. Diagnosis is the critical entry point for effective care and for stopping AMR.”

Beyond human health

The workshop addressed AMR as a comprehensive challenge extending beyond human health. Experts highlighted that India ranks fourth globally in antibiotic use in animals and agriculture, with 70% of antibiotics worldwide used in animal husbandry. Dr Chanchal Bhattacharya from Heifer International urged improvements in veterinary practices and stronger regulatory enforcement to reduce misuse.

Environmental factors also received attention, with Dr Rajeshwari Sinha from the Centre for Science and Environment explaining connections between AMR and climate change. Rising temperatures and extreme weather events can increase drug-resistant infections by impacting water, sanitation, and hygiene systems. Studies presented by Satish Sinha from Toxic Links revealed concerning antibiotic contamination in Indian rivers from unsafe disposal practices by factories, hospitals, and households.

Learning from success stories

The workshop drew inspiration from HIV response strategies, with Pooja Mishra from Youth Lead Voices sharing how over 1,860 young people living with HIV in India have remained virally suppressed for more than a year through proper diagnosis and treatment adherence. This success story demonstrated the potential of person-centered and community-led health responses.

From dialogue to action

Dr V Sam Prasad from AHF India Cares called for full implementation of national and state AMR action plans using a One Health approach that integrates human, animal, and environmental health considerations.

Closing the workshop, Dr Lal delivered a final reminder to all participants:

“There is no Planet B for our medicines. Preventing AMR is not optional – it is a shared responsibility for all of us.”

The Delhi workshop represents a crucial step in mobilizing media leadership to address one of the most pressing health challenges of our time, emphasizing that effective communication and community engagement are essential for stronger action on antibiotic resistance.

The workshop also resulted in widespread coverage of the event by Indian media.