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A study in The Lancet Regional Health Southeast Asia reveals antibiotic-resistant typhoid infections caused an estimated ₹123 billion economic burden in India in 2023.
Antibiotic-resistant strains, particularly fluoroquinolone-resistant ones, accounted for 87% of the total costs, disproportionately affecting children under 10.
Households bore 91% of the expenses, with 70,000 families facing 'catastrophic' health expenditure.
The findings advocate for introducing the Typhoid Conjugate Vaccine (TCV) into India's national immunization schedule and strengthening antibiotic resistance control.
Antibiotic Resistance (AMR) occurs when bacteria evolve to withstand the effects of antibiotics, making infections harder to treat. This leads to prolonged illness, higher medical costs, and increased mortality. Fluoroquinolones are a class of antibiotics often used for severe infections, including typhoid. The study highlights significant resistance to this drug in typhoid cases in India. Typhoid Conjugate Vaccines (TCVs) are a newer generation of typhoid vaccines that offer longer-lasting protection, require fewer doses, and can be administered to young children, providing a crucial tool in combating the disease and reducing the reliance on antibiotics.
Simple Analogy: Imagine antibiotics as keys designed to unlock and disable bacterial locks. With antibiotic resistance, bacteria change their locks, making the old keys (antibiotics) ineffective. TCVs are like building a strong wall around the house (the body) to prevent the bacteria from getting in, rather than just trying to fight them once they're inside.
The findings inform strategies for universal health coverage, reducing out-of-pocket expenditure, and strengthening primary healthcare under these initiatives.
The study provides crucial evidence for the implementation and strengthening of AMR surveillance, prevention, and control measures in India.
The recommendation to include TCV in the national immunization schedule directly relates to expanding vaccine coverage and achieving health goals under these programs.
Directly links to SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), particularly targets related to communicable diseases and access to affordable medicines and vaccines.
GS-II: Health, Government Policies & Interventions; GS-III: Science & Technology (Developments & their applications and effects in everyday life), Economy (Health expenditure).
General Science (Diseases, Vaccines), Current Affairs (Government initiatives, health reports).
General Awareness (Economic data, public health issues, government schemes).
General Science (Diseases, prevention), Current Affairs (Health policies).
General Awareness (Public health challenges, national security implications of health crises).
In the context of vaccines manufactured to prevent COVID-19 pandemic, consider the following statements: 1. The Serum Institute of India produced COVID-19 vaccine named Covishield using mRNA platform. 2. Sputnik V vaccine is manufactured using vector based platform. 3. COVAXIN is an inactivated pathogen based vaccine. Which of the statements given above are correct?
Answer: 2 and 3 only
Consider the following statements : 1. The India Sanitation Coalition is a platform to promote sustainable sanitation and is funded by the Government of India and the World Health Organization. 2. The National Institute of Urban Affairs is an apex body of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs in Government of India and provides innovative solutions to address the challenges of Urban India. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Answer: 2 only
With reference to casual workers employed in India, consider the following statements: 1. All casual workers are entitled for Employees Provident Fund coverage. 2. All casual workers are entitled for regular working hours and overtime payment. 3. The government can by a notification specify that an establishment or industry shall pay wages only through its bank account. Which of the above statements are correct?
Answer: 2 and 3 only
Public health, vaccines, and antimicrobial resistance are frequently tested topics across all competitive exams, especially UPSC and SSC.
A type of vaccine that provides long-lasting protection against typhoid fever, suitable for young children.
The ability of microorganisms to resist antimicrobial drugs, making standard treatments ineffective.
A class of broad-spectrum antibiotics used to treat various bacterial infections, including severe typhoid.
Health expenses that are so large that they threaten a household's ability to meet its basic needs.