Twitter
Advertisement

Experts bat for framing, implementation of antibiotic policy at all hospitals

Hospitals across the state must have an antibiotic policy and adhere to it religiously to put an end to indiscriminate use of the drugs, say medical experts. With scores of bacteria developing resistance to various antibiotics, the once-wonder medicines are no longer effective in treating even many minor ailments.

Latest News
article-main
FacebookTwitterWhatsappLinkedin

Hospitals across the state must have an antibiotic policy and adhere to it religiously to put an end to indiscriminate use of the drugs, say medical experts. With scores of bacteria developing resistance to various antibiotics, the once-wonder medicines are no longer effective in treating even many minor ailments.

The Centre had sent an antibiotic policy to Maharashtra that was forwarded to all the 17 government-run medical colleges across the state. However, private hospitals don’t have such rules, said Dr Pravin Shingare, director of Directorate of Medical Education and Research (DMER).

An antibiotic policy would entail hospitals to keep track of usage of the medicines, periodic meetings to discuss the effect of the infection-killers and prescription of broad-spectrum antibiotics only when it is absolutely necessary.

Dr Shingare said they will conduct a workshop to sensitize hospitals, both state-run and private, from across Maharashtra to safe use of antibiotics. “We will invite experts to discuss the mechanism to monitor the use of these drugs.”

For a long time, the state government too is planning to start a dedicated research centre on drug resistance at JJ hospital as part of the latter’s new super-specialty department.

Dr Abhay Chowdhary, director, Haffkine Institute of Research and Training Center, who is also the former president of Indian Association of Medical Microbiology, said, "Broad-spectrum antibiotics are like bombs. They destroy everything. If you have a particular target pathogen, you should use specific antibiotics. There are doctors who don't understand this and keep prescribing drugs indiscriminately which leads to rise in cases of drug resistance.”

Stressing the need to improve infection control practices in hospitals, Dr Arun Jamkar, vice-chancellor, Maharashtra University of Health Sciences, said, “Hospital authorities should keep a close watch on the kind of high-end antibiotics used on patients. Else, we will reach a stage where no antibiotics will work.”

Find your daily dose of news & explainers in your WhatsApp. Stay updated, Stay informed-  Follow DNA on WhatsApp.
Advertisement

Live tv

Advertisement
Advertisement