SKIMS develops J&K’s first hospital antibiotic policy

Srinagar, Dec 04: SKIMS Soura has become the first hospital in Jammu and Kashmir to develop its Hospital Antibiotic Policy which can become guiding light for all hospitals of the UT in fight against the menace of Antimicrobial resistance (AMR), a global health crisis.
Dr Syed Mudasir Qadri, Additional Professor Department of Internal and Pulmonary Medicine, SKIMS said the institute has developed its own Hospital Antibiotic Policy.
“It’s a document, the first of its kind in the entire region of Jammu and Kashmir, and it will be officially released on December 5th during the upcoming Annual Day of SKIMS,” he said.
This policy, meticulously crafted by healthcare experts at SKIMS, is expected to serve as a model for other hospitals in the Union Territory.
Designed to combat the overuse and misuse of antibiotics, the document lays down guidelines to promote responsible prescribing practices and improve patient outcomes.
Dr Qadri said the release of this policy underscores SKIMS Soura’s commitment to innovation and public health. “By taking this proactive step, the institute aims to set a benchmark for hospitals in the region, making significant strides in the fight against AMR and safeguarding the efficacy of antibiotics for future generations,” he said.
He said all the hospitals in J&K can take a lead and also implement the similar policies and they can modify accordingly as per their requirement.
Kashmir, like other parts of the country is grappling with ever-increasing overuse and misuse of antibiotics amid growing epidemic of AMR as it is one of the top global public health threats at present.
Prof. M. Ashraf Ganie, Director SKIMS Soura said that antimicrobial resistance is an escalating issue, particularly in our region, where the overuse and misuse of antibiotics are more prevalent.
He said raising awareness is crucial in addressing this challenge and SKIMS is proactively implementing numerous measures to combat AMR.
Prof. Ganie also urged attendants and local chemists to actively promote the rational and judicious use of antibiotics as a key strategy to fight against antimicrobial resistance.
As per doctors, apart from increasing the chances of drug resistance, the unnecessary use of antibiotics can be damaging to the human body in many ways.
Qadri said that the world is still not fully recovered from the effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic and stands on the edge of another simmering pandemic of antimicrobial resistance calling it a huge threat to humanity.
“There is a dire need to have policies for rationalizing antibiotic use across all hospitals in Jammu and Kashmir which is one of the main ways to curb misuse of antibiotics,” he said.
As per doctors the increased use of antibiotics not only causes severe side effects but also places a significant financial burden on patients, hospitals, and the state exchequer due to the high cost of these drugs.
Doctors say that in India there is no control on the prescription of antibiotics and AMR has serious consequences on the public health and there is a need for policies at national level.