Health Minister C. Damodar Raja Narasimha has announced the launch of Telangana's Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Action Plan during the inaugural function of the three-day G-SPARC 2024 conference on Infection Prevention, Control, and Antimicrobial Stewardship at Shilpakalavedika in Madhapur.

The Minister emphasised that the plan would be implemented effectively in the near future, making Telangana the seventh state in India to address this critical issue.

“Kerala was the first state to launch its AMR action plan, followed by five others. We are sincerely tackling AMR, which has been referred to as a silent pandemic,” Narasimha stated.

The conference, which began on Thursday evening, brought together health officials, researchers, and experts to discuss the pressing challenge of AMR. Christina Z. Chongthu, Secretary of Health & Family Welfare for the Government of Telangana, noted that since the India Action Plan on AMR was announced in 2017, the state has made significant strides in capacity building, improving auditing processes, and regulating antibiotic use.

Dr Anuj Sharma from the WHO India Office highlighted the importance of collaboration to strengthen the AMR Action Plan. He referenced a recent United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) decision aiming to reduce human deaths linked to AMR by 10% by 2030. “Global leaders have committed to clear targets and actions to combat this threat,” he added.

The conference has attracted 1,600 delegates from India and various Global South countries, underscoring the urgent need to address the AMR crisis and enhance infection prevention strategies.