SANGSAD BHABAN, June 25, 2026 (BSS) - Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md. Sakhawat Husain today said in Parliament that the government has been continuing public awareness campaigns to prevent the indiscriminate use of antibiotics while strengthening the detection, surveillance and control of antimicrobial-resistant organisms.

He made the remarks while replying to a tabled question by ruling party lawmaker Zainal Abedin of Feni-2 constituency in the Jatiya Sangsad.

The minister said antimicrobial resistance (AMR), or antibiotic-resistant organisms, is increasing steadily in the country and has emerged as a major public health concern. 

He noted that irrational and excessive use of antibiotics, limitations in infection prevention and control measures, and uncontrolled use of antimicrobials in both human and animal sectors have further aggravated the situation.

"As a result, the risk of spreading antibiotic-resistant organisms in the environment is increasing, making disease treatment progressively more difficult," he said.

Highlighting government initiatives to combat AMR, Sakhawat Husain said a National Action Plan is being implemented under the One Health approach through coordinated activities involving the human, animal and environmental sectors.

He said the national AMR surveillance programme is being expanded and strengthened. At the same time, modern microbiology laboratories are being established and upgraded at various government medical college hospitals and specialised institutions to enhance the capacity for pathogen detection and antimicrobial susceptibility testing.

The minister also said modern equipment and reagents are being supplied to laboratories, while training and capacity-building programmes for laboratory personnel have been intensified.

"In addition, infection prevention and control measures as well as antimicrobial stewardship programmes are being implemented across the healthcare system," he added.

Sakhawat Husain further said the government is conducting various research activities to assess AMR trends, identify risk factors and formulate effective prevention strategies.