Editorial 1 : Medicine Use and Misuse
Context: UN recognition of antibiotic abuse offers India an opportunity
Anti-Microbial Resistance (AMR)
- Threat: UN General Assembly recognised anti-microbial resistance (AMR) as an urgent global health threat and developmental challenge.
- Antimicrobial is an all-encompassing term that includes antibiotics, antivirals, antifungals and antiparasitic administered to humans, animals and plants.
Misuse of Antimicrobials
- Antimicrobials have been misused and overused not just to treat diseases but also as growth promoters in industrial-scale food production since the 1950s.
- WHO recommendation: In 2000, the WHO recommended rapidly phasing out antibiotic growth promoters from the agriculture and animal sectors.
Impact of AMR
- Healthcare: AMR can set back gains made in the treatment of infectious diseases and delay or disrupt goals such as the elimination of TB or malaria on account of the emergence of multiple drug-resistant strains.
- Surgery and Cancer Treatment: AMR makes common procedures such as surgeries or cancer chemotherapies riskier and more expensive.
- The drivers and consequences of AMR are exacerbated by poverty and inequality, affecting low- and middle-income countries disproportionately.
Economic Implications of AMR
- Healthcare Costs: The World Bank estimates that AMR could result in additional healthcare costs of up to $1 trillion by 2050
- GDP Losses: According to the World Bank AMR could result in GDP losses per year ranging from $ 1-3.4 trillion by 2030.
- Global Inequality: AMR may widen the economic gap between richer and poorer nations.
Global Action on AMR: UNGA's Political Declaration
- Given the urgency, the political declaration speaks unequivocally of reducing the estimated 4.95 million human deaths associated with bacterial AMR annually by 10% by 2030.
- Funding: It has advocated sustainable national financing and $100 million catalytic funding, to help achieve a target of at least 60% of countries having funded national action plans on AMR by 2030.
Targets for Healthcare and Agri-Food Sectors
- Human Healthcare: At least 70% of antimicrobials used in healthcare should belong to the WHO Access Group, which has minimal side effects and a lower potential to cause AMR.
- Infection Prevention: 90% of countries must meet the minimum requirements for WHO’s Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) programs.
- Agri-Food Sector: Countries are expected to promote responsible and evidence-based use of antimicrobials in animal health.
Environmental dimensions of AMR
- Preventing the discharge of antimicrobials into the environment.
- More research to catalyse actions to address key sources of antimicrobial pollution.
One Health Approach
- One Health approach entails establishing links between humans, animals and the environment through a collaborative approach between experts in these sectors.
- These collaborations need to be backed up by political commitment, policies, sustainable financing, and engagement of civil society.
India’s Commitment to AMR
- Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare reaffirmed India’s commitment at the UNGA meeting.
- National Action Plan for AMR 2.0: India’s plan includes ambitious goals of inter-sectoral collaboration and clear monitoring mechanisms.
- One Health Mission: India’s National One Health Mission aims to map surveillance programs, improve laboratory capabilities, and address gaps in AMR control.
Editorial 2 : Breaking Stalemate
Context: India-China agreement: Breaking a stalemate
Introduction
- After four-and-a-half years of Chinese aggression and military stand-off along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), the first concrete step towards breaking the stalemate is a welcome step.
- India and China have agreed to restore each other’s patrolling rights in Depsang Plains and Demchok in Ladakh.
Significance of Disengagement
- Patrolling Rights Restored: The restoration of patrolling rights is a step toward de-escalating military tensions.
- Bilateral Relations: The disengagement holds promise for improving diplomatic and economic relations between India and China, as long as both sides remain committed.
- Other Sectors: Progress has also been reported in other areas along the LAC, such as Arunachal Pradesh.
Next Step and Follow Up
- De-escalation and de-induction: It will be a slow, meticulous process requiring constant monitoring.
- A meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Russia could provide the political imprimatur to the disengagement.
- The two leaders may also outline the contours of further political and economic engagement.
Impact on India’s Geopolitical Strategy
- Diplomatic Gains: India’s diplomatic and security efforts over the past few years have shown persistence and patience.
- Balancing Between Powers: With disengagement, India gains more diplomatic flexibility in balancing its relationships with Russia, China, and Western powers like the United States.
- US Elections: With the US presidential elections approaching, India may have more diplomatic leverage in dealing with the next American administration.
Challenges Ahead
- China’s Focus on Trade: China has preferred to downplay the border issues and focus on economic and trade relations.
- India’s Firm Stance: India has insisted that without resolving territorial aggression, there can be no forward movement in other areas.
- Fundamental Principle: This principle must guide India’s approach in the coming months and years.
Need for Realism in India-China Relations
- Geopolitical Reality: India and China, both large, powerful neighbours with different political systems, will inevitably have disagreements.
- Avoid Politicisation: The border dispute has become highly politicized; both sides need to adopt a realistic approach to maintain diplomatic engagement.
- Space for Dialogue: It is important to keep political space open for continued dialogue and cooperation.
Disengagement vs Resolution
- It is important not to confuse the disengagement at the LAC for a resolution.
- India has stood its ground and must continue to do so.
Way Forward: As a vibrant democracy India needs to take the people along, especially the Opposition, Parliament and India’s external partners. India needs show the same fortitude and patience it has shown so far to push its point and building a better relation with the northern neighbour.