Ahmedabad: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday issued a strong warning over the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), describing it as a “huge threat to humanity” and a silent disaster that could undermine global health systems if left unaddressed. He called on scientists, policymakers, doctors and students to work together to develop a comprehensive and long-term roadmap to combat the challenge, stressing that the issue goes beyond individual health and affects society as a whole.

Shah was speaking at a function in Ahmedabad after laying the foundation stone for a Biosafety Level-4 (BSL-4) Biocontainment Facility at the Gujarat Biotechnology Research Centre. The state-of-the-art laboratory, he said, would significantly strengthen India’s capacity to conduct advanced research on highly infectious pathogens and reinforce the country’s biosafety infrastructure.

Highlighting the seriousness of antimicrobial resistance, Shah said it represents a gradual but dangerous erosion of the effectiveness of antibiotics and other antimicrobial medicines that modern medicine depends on. “AMR means resistance developed against antibiotics. This is a huge threat to our society and humanity today. It is, in a way, a silent disaster,” he said, adding that the reduced or complete loss of antibiotic effectiveness could make even common infections difficult or impossible to treat.

Citing the World Health Organization’s definition, Shah explained that antimicrobial resistance occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites no longer respond to medicines designed to kill or control them. As a result, treatments become ineffective, infections persist, and the risk of disease spread, severe illness, disability and death increases sharply. He warned that if this trend continues unchecked, it could roll back decades of medical progress.

The Home Minister identified three primary reasons behind the rapid rise of antimicrobial resistance. The first, he said, is the failure of patients to complete the prescribed course of antibiotics, which allows surviving microbes to adapt and become resistant. The second is the practice of doctors prescribing antibiotics without a proper diagnosis, often as a precautionary or routine measure. The third is the widespread use of antibiotics without medical advice, a problem particularly prevalent in countries where medicines are easily available over the counter.

“I believe AMR is a very serious threat, not just for individuals but for society as a whole,” Shah said. “If we compromise the human body’s ability to repair itself using antibiotics, we will lose control over diseases. That is why we need deeper research to make this science more precise and robust.”

Shah also drew attention to a less-discussed but alarming dimension of antimicrobial resistance: vertical transmission. He noted that resistant infections can be passed from a pregnant woman to her unborn child, extending the threat to future generations. This, he said, makes the challenge of AMR not just a present crisis but a long-term risk that could shape public health outcomes for decades.

Against this backdrop, the Home Minister stressed the urgent need for a well-defined national and global roadmap to combat antimicrobial resistance. Such a strategy, he said, must include medicine literacy, public awareness, stronger research frameworks and responsible prescribing practices. Educating people about the dangers of misuse and overuse of antibiotics should be a central pillar of this effort.

“This should be the goal of the students sitting before me today,” Shah said, addressing young researchers and scholars at the event. “Our aim should be to prevent infections and safeguard antibiotics for future generations.” He emphasised that prevention, hygiene, vaccination and early diagnosis are as important as developing new drugs in the fight against AMR.

Turning to the new BSL-4 Biocontainment Facility, Shah said Gujarat has become the first state in the country to establish such a high-level laboratory, marking a significant milestone in India’s scientific and technological capabilities. BSL-4 is the highest level of biosafety containment, designed for work with the most dangerous and contagious microorganisms that can cause severe or fatal diseases, often with no known vaccines or treatments.

“Science and technology should not be confined to research and development alone,” Shah said. “They must become a cornerstone of the nation’s overall development. Today, we are taking a very crucial step in that direction.” He noted that after the National Institute of Virology in Pune, this would be India’s second facility of such advanced biosafety standards.

The Home Minister highlighted that the Gujarat BSL-4 lab is the first of its kind to be built by a state government, calling it a matter of pride for the state. He credited Gujarat’s leadership and scientific institutions for taking the initiative to strengthen India’s biosafety preparedness.

“A strong fortress for India’s biosafety is being built here at a cost of ₹362 crore, spread over more than 11,000 square metres,” Shah said. He added that the facility’s design and infrastructure have been developed after studying the best BSL-4 laboratories across the world, ensuring adherence to the highest global standards of safety and containment.

Acknowledging that India had lagged behind in this domain for several years, Shah said the new facility would open fresh opportunities for young scientists and researchers. It would provide them with a secure and advanced platform to study highly contagious viruses, conduct cutting-edge research and contribute to global scientific knowledge without compromising safety.

“This facility will allow scientists to research highly infectious viruses in a completely safe environment,” Shah said. “It will help India move forward in this sector and strengthen our ability to respond to emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases.”

In conclusion, Shah linked the fight against antimicrobial resistance with broader national goals of scientific self-reliance and public health security. He said that tackling AMR requires a collective effort involving governments, medical professionals, researchers, educational institutions and citizens. Without decisive action today, he warned, humanity risks entering an era where common infections once again become deadly.

His remarks underscored the dual message of urgency and opportunity: while antimicrobial resistance poses a grave challenge, investments in research infrastructure like the BSL-4 facility, combined with awareness and responsible medical practices, can equip India to confront the threat effectively and safeguard the health of future generations.