Explainer: Why superbugs are a growing threat to India
India's dealing with a serious health threat—antibiotic resistance is spreading fast, especially in cases like pneumonia and UTIs.
A recent Lancet study (publication date and citation needed) found that over 83% of Indian patients carry tough, multidrug-resistant bacteria.
That's way higher than in countries like Italy or the US.
What's causing the problem?
A big reason: antibiotics are often sold without prescriptions, and they're used a lot in farming too.
Five main bacteria—E. coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staph aureus, Acinetobacter baumannii, and M. tuberculosis—are behind most deaths linked to superbugs.
Experts warn that if things don't change soon, almost everyone in India could be carrying these resistant bugs in the coming years (citation needed).
What is the government doing?
The government has proposed stricter rules and issued guidance aimed at reducing over-the-counter sales of some antibiotics and encouraging prescriptions at pharmacies.
Still, estimates for 2019 put antibiotic-resistance-related deaths at (citation needed) — a reminder that this fight really matters for everyone's future health.