Event Overview
With the theme “Tackling Antimicrobial Resistance: A Multi-Disciplinary Approach” unfurled the beginning of the 18th IC InnovatorClub meeting held on May 25,2024.
The event brought together leading experts, policymakers, and healthcare professionals to discuss innovative solutions to one of the most pressing public health challenges of our time. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a significant threat to global health, demanding a concerted effort across various sectors to combat its spread effectively.
Introduction and setting the tone
In his opening remarks, Mr. Sachin Gaur set the tone of urgency and immediate collaboration as he addressed the critical issue of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Drawing from personal experience and insights gained from international forums, he underscored the global nature of the problem and emphasised on the need for proactive strategies in combating AMR. Mr.Gaur acknowledged the growing awareness surrounding AMR but calls for a shift from reactionary approaches to more comprehensive and coordinated efforts.
Keynote Address by Ms. Jasmine Kaur
In her keynote address, Jasmine Kaur, a researcher at the division of biomedical informatics at ICMR and a Ph.D. candidate at the Department of Computational Biology at IIIT Delhi, delves into the challenges of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and suggested innovative solutions through a multidisciplinary lens. She elucidated the essence of AMR, highlighting its detrimental impact on global health by rendering previously effective medications ineffective. Kaur emphasised the urgent need for proactive strategies in combating AMR, citing alarming statistics of associated deaths in 2019. She identified the key challenges hindering effective AMR management, such as fragmented datasets, lack of accessible technical innovations, and implementation gaps. Providing insights into India’s AMR surveillance landscape. Ms.Kaur discussed various national-level surveillance systems and enlightened the importance of standardising data collection and enhancing data sharing mechanisms. She advocated for the development of an ideal AMR surveillance system that is interoperable, standardised, and capable of providing nationwide projections. Ms.Kaur introduced tools developed by ICMR for data collection and highlights their significance in guiding antimicrobial use policies. Drawing from her recent study published in Lancet Southeast Asia, she showcased the utility of AI-based insights in analysing AMR trends and identifying indicator antibiotics.She concluded by stressing the importance of collaborative efforts among stakeholders in combating AMR and called for greater implementation and awareness to make substantial progress in this global health challenge.
Keynote Address by Advocate Rabin Majumdar
In the keynote address, Advocate Rabin Majumdar, an advocate at the Supreme Court of India focused on AMR and environmental law, highlights the legal dimensions of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and its implications for public health and the environment. He emphasised on the need for global cooperation in addressing AMR and stressed the importance of interstate and international coordination. Majumdar discussed India’s efforts in mapping the AMR research landscape and called for better coordination between various governmental departments. He shared his insights on the environmental impact of pharmaceutical manufacturing and augmented for smart regulation of antibiotic use to mitigate AMR. He further highlighted the role of the National Green Tribunal in addressing AMR-related environmental issues and underscores the importance of regulatory mechanisms in preventing contamination. Despite existing policies, he acknowledged implementation of challenges and stressed the need for strong legal commitment and public-private partnerships. Majumdar concluded by emphasising the importance of comprehensive and coordinated efforts in involving all stakeholders to effectively combat AMR on a global scale.
Panel Discussion
The panel discussion, moderated by Adv. Rabin Majumder, brought together esteemed experts to explore various facets of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and proposed solutions to combat this global health challenge. Dr. Ranga Reddy Burri, President of the Infection Control Academy of India (IFCAI), emphasised the One Health approach to AMR, stressing the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health. Dr. Sonal Saxena, Director Professor & Head, Microbiology Department , Maulana Azad Medical College, shed light on the challenges of AMR in hospital settings, particularly focusing on hospital-acquired infections and the importance of infection control practices. Dr. Vikash Ranjan,Manager Medical Affairs,BioMérieux, provided insights from the industry perspective, highlighting the crucial role of diagnostics in managing AMR, including the need for rapid and accurate tests to guide targeted therapy and reduce antibiotic misuse.
Throughout the discussion, several key themes emerged. Collaboration across disciplines and sectors was highlighted as essential for developing comprehensive strategies to combat AMR effectively. The importance of early diagnosis, accessible diagnostic tools, and technological advancements in diagnostics were underscored as crucial elements in managing AMR in healthcare settings. Additionally, the panellists emphasised the significance of education and public awareness in addressing AMR, advocating for curriculum development, public awareness campaigns, and community engagement initiatives to promote responsible antibiotic use.
In conclusion, the panel discussion underscored the urgent need for a holistic and coordinated approach to address AMR, involving collaboration between academia, industry, policymakers, healthcare professionals, and the public. By leveraging the strengths of each sector and implementing evidence-based strategies, there is hope for effectively managing and controlling AMR to safeguard public health and preserve antibiotic effectiveness for future generations.
