Context  

• The World Health Organization (WHO) in the fourth report of its global review on health and migration, revealed that migrant populations are becoming particularly vulnerable to Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR). 

Anti-microbial Resistance 

• Antimicrobial resistance, also known as drug resistance, is the resistance acquired by microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites against antimicrobial drugs that are used to treat infections. 
• When the microorganisms become resistant to most antimicrobials they are often referred to as “superbugs” 
• According to WHO, AMR is responsible for 1.27 million deaths in a year. 

Causes of AMR 

• Genetic Mutations endow microbes with genes that enable them to resist anti-microbial agents. 
• Access to antibiotics without prescription, improper administration and overconsumption can cause AMR in humans. 
• Antibiotics are commonly used for growth promotion in poultry. Here, drug-resistant bacteria found in meat have exposure to contaminated water and in this way, diseases that affect animals can pass to humans. 
• Untreated disposal of sewage of waterbodies can lead to contamination of rivers with antimicrobial residues. 

Impact of AMR  

• AMR increases the health burden of nations leading to higher medical costs, prolonged hospital stays, and increased mortality. 
• Organ transplantations, chemotherapy, diabetes management and surgeries become more dangerous without effective antibiotics for treatment of infections. 
• The economic impact of increasing AMR includes loss of a productive workforce, leading to lowered national outputs. 
• It also endangers the achievement of Sustainable development goals (SDGs) 

Findings of the Report 

• Refugees and migrant population accounting for 3.5 per cent of the global population in 2020, face greater threat from Drug resistant bacteria.  
• The conditions under which refugees and migrants leave their countries of origin and transit to their destination countries may have led to increased Infections. 
• WHO analysis shows that refugees suffer from poor access to healthcare in the host countries. 
• Limited capacity of health services, high costs, inappropriate prescription of antibiotics and language or cultural barriers have prompted many to resort to unsafe means to meet healthcare needs. 

Global Efforts to combat AMR 

• World Antimicrobial Awareness Week held annually is a global campaign that aims to increase awareness of antimicrobial resistance worldwide and to encourage best practices among the public, health workers and policy makers to avoid the further emergence and spread of drug-resistant infections. 
• The Global Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance System (GLASS), under the WHO supports a standardized approach to collection, analysis and sharing of data related to antimicrobial resistance at a global level to promote informed decision-making. 
• The AWaRe tool was developed by the WHO Essential Medicines List, classifies antibiotics into: Access— antibiotics used to treat the most common and serious infection, Watch— antibiotics available at all times in the healthcare system, Reserve— antibiotics to be used, sparingly and used only as a last resort. 

National Initiatives 

• The National Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance (NAP-AMR) focusing on One Health approach was launched in 2017 with the aim of promoting AMR containment. 
• AMR Surveillance Network aims to generate evidence and capture trends and patterns of drug resistant infections in the country. 
• The Red line campaign is aimed at discouraging unnecessary prescription and over-the-counter sale of antibiotics causing drug resistance for diseases including TB, malaria, HIV, etc. 

Way Forward 

• There is a need to promote a One Health approach through multi-sectoral participation. One Health is an approach that recognizes that human health is closely connected to the health of animals and shared environment 
• Promoting research to address the data deficiency around AMR will provide for informed policy actions to mitigate AMR.