The Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) in joint collaboration with World Health Organisation, US-FDA and NC State University, US organized one day workshop to concise their findings on 'Monitoring the Antimicrobial Resistance profile of bacterial food borne pathogens in humans, food animals and retail meat in India' on 25th April' 2017 at PGIMER Campus, Chandigarh.
The WHO project was a collaborative effort of PGIMER and Department of Public Health and Epidemiology, C.V.Sc, G. B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology (GBPUAT). The studies highlighted that antimicrobial resistance in humans is a common finding in hospitals. Although this resistance has multiple sources and contaminants, food animal products is a probable source for transfer of antimicrobial resistance and animal health professionals have a role to play. The workshop was presided by Dr Awa Aidara-Kane, Coordinator Foodborne Diseases and Zoonosis Unit, Department of Food Safety and Zoonoses, World Health Organization and had participants from all related subjects debating the role of all agencies and way forward for control of AMR in humans.
The other eminent technocrats attending the workshop were — Dr Ruby Singh, US-FDA, CVM; Dr. Paula J. Fedorka-Cray and Dr Siddhartha Thakur, NC State University, US; Dr Rubeena Shaheen, Director, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI); Dr. Neelam Taneja, PGIMER; Dr Ajay K Upadhyay, GBPUAT; Dr Rishendra Verma, IVRI and Dr C B Singh, Practicing Veterinarian, Chandigarh.
INFAH also participated in the workshop as the platform was the first multi-disciplinary approach towards One Health and AMR in humans. The team of INFAH presented the view of Animal health industry. It was highlighted that although Animal Health also needs to contribute towards prudent use of antimicrobials but the core of the solution remains with human use and the medical sector has a much important and higher responsibility to play. The team of INFAH was represented by Dr D K Dey, Vice President, INFAH; Dr Nitin Bhatia and Dr D J Kalita. INFAH also proposed to work collaboratively with Indian and global agencies to provide all support to ensure healthy animals, healthier India.
