As the controversy over the origin of the new antibiotic-resistant bacteria, which non-chalantly named as New Delhi Metallo-beta lactamase-1 (NDM-1) looming large over country's medical tourism prospects, the Union Health and Family Welfare Ministry has set up a task force for evolving a policy on use of antibiotics.
The 13-member task force, chaired by the Director General of Health Services, is expected to submit a report within two months.
Indiscriminate use
According to Union Health and Family Welfare Secretary K. Sujatha Rao, there is indiscriminate use of antibiotics, though most hospitals claim to have a policy on use of antibiotics.
“Once the task force submits its report, we finalise a policy that will have to be adopted by all doctors,” she said. She admitted that there was need to create awareness among medical practitioners on indiscriminate use of antibiotics.
The DGCI, being a regulatory authority, had enquired with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) on research protocols.
Ms. Rao said the Ministry had also set up a committee to draft National Standard Treatment guidelines. The committee was working in close collaboration with FICCI, and once the guidelines were finalised, it would make insurance meaningful as there would be standardised treatment for ailments.
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