Apollo, Asia's foremost integrated healthcare services provider, has announced the launch of an Antimicrobial Stewardship Programme (Apollo ASP) at a national level. The programme will sensitise care providers on antimicrobial resistance (AMR), an issue leading to a public health problem and is today one of humanity's top ten global public health threats.

Dr Prathap C. Reddy, Chairman, Apollo said, “Antimicrobial Stewardship Programme (Apollo ASP) will be the largest programme of its kind in the country to promote the rational use of antibiotics to combat the rising burden of antimicrobial resistance, also known as drug resistance in the community. The programme will sensitise care providers on AMR, an issue leading to a public health problem and is today one of humanity's top ten global public health threats. Through the Apollo Antimicrobial Stewardship Programme, we aim to optimise the use of antibiotics, turn the tide on AMR, and ensure continued effective treatment of infections for future generations.”

According to Dr Sangita Reddy, Joint Managing Director, Apollo, "Our recent data of over 300 thousand bacterial isolates since 2019 across 20 different locations in India shows a considerable increase in community-acquired Antimicrobial Resistance which warrants immediate measures to stop this emerging trend."

The programme will be backed by a digital backbone that will ensure efficiency, and accuracy and allow an analysis of data for decision-making. The ASP will be integrated with Apollo’s electronic medical records platform - Medmantra to facilitate automated alerts. Education and training of doctors, pharmacists and other healthcare staff will include comprehensive case-based modules.