Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is no longer a distant threat; it has become a pressing reality for India's healthcare system, particularly in surgical care. Surgeons warn that the indiscriminate use of antibiotics is undermining decades of progress in safe surgical practices. As hospitals report rising instances of multidrug-resistant infections, the very foundation of surgical safety is at risk. The WHO's guidelines recommend a shift towards stringent antibiotic stewardship, emphasizing the need for timely antibiotic administration and strict infection control measures rather than prolonged antibiotic use.
In India, surgical site infections (SSIs) are alarmingly common, affecting up to 11% of patients undergoing surgery. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has begun tracking these infections systematically, revealing a 5.2% incidence rate across hospitals. This data underscores the urgent need for hospitals to adopt comprehensive strategies that extend beyond antibiotics, including optimizing patient health pre-surgery and enhancing operating room sterility.
Experts like Dr. Amarchand Bajaj from the Sitaram Bhartia Institute of Science and Research emphasize that the misconception that 'more antibiotics mean better protection' is dangerous. With AMR making even routine surgeries riskier, the healthcare sector must pivot towards evidence-based practices that prioritize patient safety over outdated protocols.
