The Silent Pandemic: Why India Is Most Vulnerable And What's The Plan

A simple cough, cold, or wound medicine is becoming increasingly dangerous. The reason? Superbugs, that is, bacteria that resist even standard antibiotics. People who take unnecessary antibiotics for minor

illnesses may find these medicines no longer work for them.

A recent study published in The Lancet revealed a startling fact: 83% of patients visiting hospitals in India already carry drug-resistant bacteria. This means treatments fail even before they begin.

Every year, millions of people die because of antibiotic resistance, prompting the government to declare it the ‘next national health emergency’.

India Leads The World In Superbugs

Superbugs are bacteria that defeat antibiotics, even those prescribed by doctors. The latest study (November 2025) by AIG Hospital, Hyderabad, surveyed patients from nine countries.

India had the highest number of multidrug-resistant cases in the world. Key causes include:

• Self-medication and overuse of antibiotics
• Medicines sold freely by shopkeepers
• Poor infection control in hospitals
• Excessive antibiotic use in poultry and fish farming

The Human Cost Of Antibiotic Resistance

The Lancet study highlights the scale of the problem in India:

• 1 million deaths per year linked to antibiotic resistance
• 58,000 newborn deaths from resistant infections
• Common infections like pneumonia, urinary tract infections, and wounds becoming deadly

If unchecked, antibiotic resistance could cause 10 million deaths annually by 2050.

The New 5-Year Plan: NAP-AMR 2.0 (2025-2029)

The government has launched National Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance 2.0, with Health Minister JP Nadda calling it the biggest threat after COVID. Key measures include:

• One Health approach: tackling humans, animals, and the environment together
• Stricter rules for private hospitals
• AMR surveillance networks in every state
• Training for doctors and chemists on responsible antibiotic use
• Awareness campaigns: ‘Always complete your full treatment course’
• Research on new medicines and vaccines

Expert Advice For Safe Antibiotic Use

Dr Naresh Kumar, Pulmonary Head at Lok Nayak Hospital, advises:

• Take antibiotics only as prescribed and for the correct duration
• Avoid self-medication
• Doctors should prescribe according to guidelines and antibiograms

Following these practices can prevent further spread of superbugs.

Rising Costs Of Treating Superbugs

• Treating resistant infections is 2-3 times more expensive:
• Common infections that cost Rs 5,000 – Rs 10,000 can now cost Rs 50,000 – Rs 5,00,000
• Longer hospital stays and costly injections are often required
• Poor families may struggle to afford treatment

If the new plan succeeds, treatment could become cheaper and more accessible within five years.

Why India Is Particularly Vulnerable

• India uses the most antibiotics in the world
• Medicines are available without prescription
• Hospital hygiene and hand-washing practices are often poor
• Excessive antibiotic use in animal farming contaminates food

This slow-moving crisis is termed a ‘silent pandemic’, killing gradually unlike COVID-19.

How It Will Affect Your Home

• Even minor illnesses may become expensive to treat
• Doctors will require tests before prescribing antibiotics
• Medicine shops will insist on prescriptions

If NAP-AMR 2.0 succeeds, millions of lives could be saved by 2030.