India, Dec. 30 -- India is facing a serious public health crisis due to the growing misuse of antibiotics, leading to a sharp rise in antimicrobial resistance (AMR), All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS) director Dr M Srinivas warned on Monday.

Highlighting rampant misuse by both patients and doctors, Dr Srinivas stressed that antibiotics must be taken strictly as prescribed and for the full course.

"Incomplete treatment or arbitrary use directly fuels antimicrobial resistance," he said, urging all doctors to follow uniform treatment guidelines and avoid prescribing antibiotics where they are not needed.

The consequences are already severe. "Today, when critically ill patients are admitted to ICUs and need antibiotics the most...