Context:
India has launched the National Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance (NAP-AMR 2.0) for the period 2025–2029, aiming to strengthen the country’s response to the growing threat of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR). The move comes amid concerns that the first NAP-AMR (2017) suffered from weak State-level implementation, necessitating stronger Centre–State coordination, accountability, and financing mechanisms.
Key Highlights:
Background and Evolution
- First NAP-AMR (2017):
- Raised national awareness on AMR
- Promoted multi-sectoral involvement
- Improved laboratory networks and AMR surveillance
- Major limitation: poor State-level execution
- NAP-AMR 2.0 (2025–29):
- Introduced as a more structured and time-bound framework
- Focuses on implementation, accountability, and coordination
Key Features of NAP-AMR 2.0
One Health Approach
- Integrates human health, animal health, agriculture, and environment
- Expanded focus on:
- Food systems
- Waste management
- Environmental contamination with antimicrobials
Private Sector and Innovation
- Recognises the dominant role of private healthcare and veterinary services
- Encourages:
- Private sector participation
- Innovation in diagnostics
- Rational use of antibiotics
Institutional Mechanism
- NITI Aayog to provide intersectoral supervision
- Oversight through a dedicated Coordination and Monitoring Committee
Persistent Challenges
- No formal Centre–State AMR coordination platform
- Absence of:
- Joint Centre–State reviews
- Financial incentives for State action
- Risk of repeating earlier implementation gaps
Editorial Suggestions
- Creation of a National–State AMR Council led by the Union Health Minister
- Mandatory preparation and notification of State AMR Action Plans
- Use of conditional grants under the National Health Mission (NHM) to incentivise States
- Annual reviews to ensure accountability and course correction
Relevant Prelims Points:
- Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR):
- Ability of microorganisms to withstand antimicrobial drugs
- Leads to treatment failure, prolonged illness, and higher mortality
- One Health Approach:
- Recognises the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health
- Critical for tackling zoonotic diseases and AMR
- NAP-AMR 2.0 (2025–29):
- Focus on surveillance, infection prevention, rational drug use, and innovation
- Emphasises multi-sectoral and private sector engagement
- Issue & Causes:
- Overuse and misuse of antibiotics
- Weak regulation in human and animal health
- Environmental discharge of pharmaceutical waste
- Impact & Challenges:
- Threat to modern medicine and public health
- Increased healthcare costs
- Weak State capacity and uneven implementation
Relevant Mains Points:
- Governance Dimension:
- AMR as a governance and implementation challenge rather than only a medical issue
- Need for cooperative federalism in public health
- Science & Technology Aspect:
- Importance of rapid diagnostics to reduce unnecessary antibiotic use
- Surveillance systems integrating human, animal, and environmental data
- Social Justice Angle:
- AMR disproportionately affects the poor and vulnerable due to limited access to advanced treatment
- Keywords & Concepts:
- One Health, antibiotic stewardship, cooperative federalism, public health governance
- Way Forward:
- Institutionalise Centre–State coordination mechanisms
- Link AMR outcomes to performance-based funding
- Strengthen regulatory oversight of antibiotics
- Promote awareness, behaviour change, and innovation
- Ensure sustained political and administrative commitment
UPSC Relevance (GS-wise):
- GS 2: Governance, Centre–State Relations, Social Justice
- GS 3: Science & Technology, Environment & Ecology, Public Health