India proposes new approach to better detect antimicrobial resistance

Antimicrobial resistance is a global health threat necessitating urgent action, highlighted Union Minister Anupriya Singh Patel at the AMR conference in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Antimicrobial resistance is a global health threat that requires immediate action, said Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Anupriya Singh Patel at the 4th Ministerial High-level Global Conference on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Highlighting India's "One Health" approach and advocating for collaboration across human, animal, plant health, and environmental sectors to address AMR, the union minister outlined India's strategy in addressing barriers to antimicrobial access.

"India is committed to improving AMR detection and data-driven antimicrobial use through integrated, interoperable surveillance systems across sectors," she stated. Additionally, India proposed prioritising sustainable financing and research to strengthen governance and accountability frameworks.

Patel also supported the establishment of the AMR Multi-partner Trust Fund and an Independent Panel on Evidence for Action against AMR by 2025. Recognising the challenges in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs), she called for regional manufacturing hubs and stronger regulatory mechanisms to ensure affordable access to antimicrobials, diagnostics, and vaccines.

To highlight the importance of statistical modelling, the union minister proposed calculating baseline AMR-related death rates to track progress toward the global target of reducing AMR deaths by 10%, as per the UNGA Political Declaration.

She noted that AMR solutions must be tailored to local contexts to be effective.

The conference culminated in the adoption of the 'Jeddah Commitments,' which aim to establish national AMR committees comprising government, private sector, and civil society stakeholders.

These bodies will ensure the funding and monitoring of National Action Plans (NAPs) and leverage artificial intelligence for global surveillance. Reaffirming India’s dedication to combating AMR, Patel stated, "India remains committed to supporting global efforts while ensuring context-specific and sustainable solutions."