World Antibiotic Awareness Week is Celebrated between the 18th -24th of November each year and it was born out of the need to increase the awareness of global antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and to encourage best practices among the general public, health workers, farmers, animal health professionals and policy makers to avoid the further emergence and spread of drug-resistant infections.

In May 2015, a global action plan to tackle AMR was endorsed at the World Health Assembly, supported by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE). 

The first objective of the plan is to 'improve awareness and understanding of antimicrobial resistance through effective communication, education and training'. 

What are the objectives of WAAW?

• To make AMR a globally recognized issue with engagement of all sectors - human, animal, plant and environment, a 'One Health approach'. 

• To raise awareness of the need to protect antimicrobial efficacy through prudent and responsible use. 

• To increase recognition of the roles that individuals, governments, civil society organizations and human, animal, environment and plant health as well as agriculture professionals must all play in tackling antimicrobial resistance. 

• To encourage behaviour change towards prudent use of antimicrobials across all relevant sectors and convey the message that simple actions can make a big difference.

What exactly is AMR and why are we talking about it?

AMR is short for Antimicrobial Resistance. Antimicrobials are medicines used to treat infections in humans, animals and plants. 

All around the world bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites are changing and starting not to respond to the medicines used to treat the infections they cause (AMR). This AMR emerges naturally, usually through genetic changes. 

However, the overuse and misuse of antimicrobials have accelerated the development of antimicrobial resistance, as has a lack of clean water and sanitation and inadequate infection prevention and control. This makes infections harder to treat, which increases the risk of disease spread, severe illness and death.

Bacterial infections resistant to antibiotics could make vital medical procedures like organ transplants, joint replacements, cancer care, and care of preterm infants too dangerous to perform. AMR can affect anyone, of any age, in any country. 

AMR is something to talk about because it is a health threat affecting our environment, animals, families, and communities.

On Friday, the 26th of November, 2021. OneHealthNG will be discussing AMR alongside other experienced health professionals.

Join us for an interesting time as we learn more about AMR and various ways in which we can Spread Awareness and Stop Resistance. To register, click here