The AMR Workshop held in Shimoga marked the grand finale of the AMR Frontline Workshop series conducted across Karnataka, bringing together experts, clinicians, and medical students to raise awareness and strategize effectively against antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Around 100 final year students attended the workshop .
Dr. Mansi Malik (Tata Instititute for Genetics and Society – TIGS) highlighted innovations such as low-cost dengue testing kits and fever panels targeting Staphylococcus species. Dr. Shivkumar (Subbaih Institiute of Medical Sciences, Shimoga) emphasized the importance of clinical judgment over lab reports, advocating for rational antibiotic use based on patient history, including prior multidrug-resistant organism (MDRO) infections and hospitalizations. He stressed the cautious use of combination antibiotics for suspected Gram-negative bacterial infections and the need to switch to monotherapy based on culture results.
Dr. Sudhindra (Basaveshwara Medical College and Hospital, Chitradurga) reinforced the value of clinical acumen, reminding participants that while lab reports are supportive, thorough clinical examination and history taking remain the gold standards. The session also covered WHO’s AWaRe classification, the threat of XDR organisms, intrinsic resistance, and the importance of avoiding unapproved drug combinations—underscoring the message: treat patients, not just reports.
The session also engaged final-year medical students with activities like Taboo – AMR Edition, Kahoot quizzes, Infection Prevention Challenges, and Jeopardy Jamborees, reinforcing core concepts through interactive learning. As the culminating event of this impactful series, the Shimoga workshop celebrated the growing momentum among future healthcare professionals, empowering them to become informed stewards in the fight against AMR.