Action Plan on Anti-Microbial Resistance
Context:
Recently, an Action Plan on Anti-Microbial Resistance was released by the Central Advisory Committee of FSSAI.
Relevance:
GS-02 (Health)
Highlights:
- The deliberations of the meeting were focused on creating awareness amongst farmers regarding the judicious use of antibiotics in livestock, aquaculture, poultry etc. as part of FSSAI’s responsibilities under the AMR National Action Plan-II.
- It also emphasized on plans to carry out surveillance on anti-microbial susceptibility in food matrix to ensure consumers’ safety.
- The Commissioners of Food Safety of States and UTs were directed to work diligently towards achieving the target of 100 food streets to be developed as ‘Healthy and Hygienic Food Streets’.
- The states were directed to prepare their surveillance plans and conduct regular meetings with state labs and their officials.
What is Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)?
- It is the ability of microorganisms (bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites) to resist the effects of antimicrobial drugs, such as antibiotics, antifungals, antivirals, antimalarials, and anthelmintics, which are commonly used to combat infections.
- This phenomenon makes standard treatments ineffective, allowing infections to persist and potentially spread to others.
- AMR arises naturally as microorganisms evolve, diminishing the effectiveness of drugs intended to treat infections.
- Microorganisms that develop antimicrobial resistance are colloquially termed “superbugs,” posing a significant threat to global health, as recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO), which has listed AMR among the top ten global health threats.
