KOCHI: As the threat of antibiotic resistance is becoming a major challenge in the state, where the practice of buying over the counter antibiotics is high, the Indian Academy of Paediatrics Kerala chapter has initiated a campaign on antibiotic abuse and misuse for paediatricians. “We urgently need a solid action plan which provides for the rational use of antibiotics. Quality antibiotics should reach those who need it, but shouldn’t be over used or overpriced. The IAP has initiated ‘Antibiotic Abuse and Misuse’ campaigns to create awareness among doctors,” said Dr M N Venkiteswaran, president, IAP, Kerala. Zonal and district level conferences will be organised to spread the message.
The first mid-zone conference was organised in Kochi, inaugurated by district medical officer Dr. N.K Kuttappan. More than 200 delegates attended the meet. Antibiotic abuse and misuse is a major threat to public health which makes treatment of infectious diseases difficult. It has become a major cause of morbidity and mortality in hospitalised patients, even among children. “Though bacteria naturally mutate to eventually become immune to antibiotics, the misuse of drugs – due to over-prescribing and patients failing to finish courses – makes it much faster than expected,” he added. Resistance to the drugs develops when potentially harmful bacteria change in a way that reduces or eliminates the effectiveness of antibiotics.
