Antibiotic resistance: Preventive measures and minimizing consequences through risk mitigation and targeted interventions in the context of India

The project is a continuation of a long-standing successful collaboration within global public health, with innovative new parts. It concerns antibiotic resistance (ABR) which is threatening to offset much progress achieved in healthcare.

ABR is increasing morbidity and mortality and as well as cost of healthcare globally, with consequences in countries at all income levels.

Intersectoral action plans at global, national and subnational levels are developed, but much remains unknown about their implementation.The purpose of this 5-year project is to understand and mitigate the development and spread of ABR, through exploring ways to minimize spread of antibiotics and antibiotic resistant bacteria in the environment and reduction of unnecessary use of antibiotics through preventive measures and interventions targeting community, health care professionals and waste-water treatment facilities.

Examples are taken from the Indian states, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh and Odisha.The project has three areas (i) Community studies on ABR and hygiene action plans, (ii) COVID-19 patients associated bacterial profile in respiratory infection in hospitalized patients to guide antibiotic use (iii) Environmental studies; Adsorptive Removal of Antibiotics from Water; Pre and post treatment of wastewater at 10 different wastewater treatment units in Odisha and Design of point-of-use water disinfection device.

We will also explore new antibiotic candidates for infections caused by ABR bacteria.