WHO’s Enhanced Dashboard Reveals Global Trends in Antimicrobial Resistance & Use
SDG 3: Good Health & Well-being | SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
Institutions: Ministry of Health & Family Welfare
The World Health Organization (WHO) has launched an upgraded GLASS (Global Antimicrobial Resistance & Use Surveillance System) dashboard covering data from 2016 to 2023, reported by 141 countries, territories, and areas (CTAs). It provides interactive visual access to trends in antimicrobial resistance (AMR) across key bacteria and antimicrobial use (AMU) measured in Defined Daily Doses (DDD).
India is a participating country in GLASS, contributing AMR and AMU data through the ICMR-led AMR Surveillance Network (AMRSN) and other national reporting frameworks. This makes India part of the global dataset now visible on the updated WHO dashboard.
Key takeaways:
Over 23 million infection episodes with antibiotic susceptibility data are included.
The dashboard covers 8 priority bacterial pathogens and resistance data for 23 antibiotics.
In 2023, 57% of global antibiotic use fell under the ‘Access’ category, but only 34% of CTAs achieved WHO’s target of ≥70%.
The AMU portion allows breakdown by antibiotic classes, AWaRe categories, route of administration, and national profiles.
This data tool allows national health ministries to benchmark AMR/AMU progress, identify problem areas, and refine stewardship policies. For India, it can inform antibiotic regulation, hospital protocols, and community health programmes, especially under the National Action Plan on AMR (NAP-AMR). The dashboard also strengthens global accountability and transparency in fighting AMR.
The National Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance (NAP-AMR), launched in 2017 by MoHFW, is India’s official strategy to combat AMR. Built on a One Health approach, it covers human health, animals, food, and environment. The plan focuses on awareness, surveillance (via ICMR’s AMR Surveillance Network), optimising antimicrobial use, infection prevention, and research/innovation. It aligns with the WHO Global Action Plan on AMR and guides India’s data reporting to global platforms like GLASS.
Follow the full update here: WHO news: Updated Dashboard on AMR & Use, 25 Sept 2025