Antibiotic Resistance Increasing Financial Strain
New Delhi: A study by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), published in BMJ Open, has revealed that antibiotic resistance is causing significant financial distress for Indian families. Treating drug-resistant bacterial infections in private hospitals costs 10.6% more than treating drug-susceptible infections, leading many families into debt.
High Costs for Resistant Infections
- Treatment in private hospitals costs $3,382 for resistant infections compared to $215 in charity trust-run hospitals.
- Patients with resistant infections often require expensive drugs and ICU care, escalating treatment costs further.
Families Face Financial Toxicity
- 46.5% of families borrowed money to cover treatment costs.
- 33.1% used up savings, leading to “grade 2 financial toxicity.”
- 11.4% had to sell or mortgage assets, marking “grade 4 financial toxicity.”
- Some families even cut down on food consumption to manage medical expenses.
Community-Wide Resistance
Dr. Rahul Pandit of H N Reliance Hospital noted that antibiotic resistance has spread from hospitals to communities, largely due to the misuse of antibiotics in healthcare and poultry farming. “The situation is alarming as patients now acquire resistant infections outside of hospital settings,” he said.
Stewardship Programs to Combat Misuse
- Many hospitals have adopted antibiotic stewardship programs to promote the proper use of antibiotics, driven by government initiatives.
- However, sustaining these programs remains a significant challenge, according to ICMR scientist Dr. Kamini Walia.
Call for Urgent Action
The study highlights the urgent need for robust policies to address antibiotic misuse and reduce treatment costs for resistant infections. Without immediate action, the rising prevalence of superbugs could deepen the health and economic burden on Indian families.
