NMC warns medical colleges, hospitals against Antimicrobial Resistance

NMC has issued an advisory to medical colleges to warn them against the indiscriminate usage of antimicrobials leading to Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR).

The National Medical Commission (NMC) has issued an advisory to all the medical colleges and attached hospitals to warn them against the indiscriminate usage of antimicrobials which is resulting in the development of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) and leading to increased incidence of infection and avoidable morbidity and mortality.

All the medical colleges have been advised to establish committees - Hospital Infection Control Committee (HICC) and Antimicrobial Stewardship (AMS) Committee. Also, the hospitals and colleges must increase the activities of both the committees and prepare guidelines for the use of antibiotics in their hospitals depending on antimicrobial sensitivity and organisms.

As per the NMC advisory, Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) is a serious and growing public health threat globally that is threatening the effective treatment and prevention of an ever-increasing range of infections. 

The advisory reads, "One of the factors contributing to rapid emergence of AMR even to the newer antibiotics is the misuse and overuse of antimicrobials. In addition, inadequate access to water, sanitation and hygiene, poor infection prevention measures, lack of access to affordable and quality assured antimicrobials, vaccines and diagnostics, all contribute to the spread of drug resistant pathogens."

Medical colleges are advised that all clinical subjects in medical education and nursing must include practical education and evaluation on AMR, antimicrobial stewardship, judicious use of antimicrobials, and infection prevention and control. 

The advisory also recommended mandatory periodic training of health care professionals for optimising antibiotic use to strengthen infection prevention and control.

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