World Antimicrobial Awareness Week 2021 – Spread Awareness, Stop Resistance

The world is running out of effective antibiotics to treat infectious diseases. Furthermore, a lack of access to quality antimicrobials remains a major issue. New antimicrobials are also urgently needed to treat drug-resistant infections.

The cost of AMR to national economies and their health systems is significant as it affects the productivity of patients or their caretakers through prolonged hospital stays and the need for more expensive and intensive care.

Without effective tools for the prevention and adequate treatment of drug-resistant infections, WHO estimated that by 2050, 10 million lives might be at risk – 90 percent of these in Asia and Africa.

Key Facts

• WHO has declared that AMR is one of the top 10 global public health threats.
• Misuse and overuse of antimicrobial drugs are the main drivers in the development of drug-resistant pathogens.
• Lack of clean water and sanitation promotes the spread of drug-resistant infections.
• In addition to death and disability, prolonged illness results in financial challenges.
• Without effective antimicrobials, major surgeries and cancer treatment will be riskier.
• Antimicrobials should be only when prescribed and the full course of treatment should be completed.

Tackling Antimicrobial Resistance

A global action plan to tackle the growing problem of resistance to antimicrobial drugs was endorsed at the Sixty-eighth World Health Assembly in May 2015.

One of the key objectives of these plans is to improve awareness and understanding of antimicrobial resistance through effective communication, education, and training.

Like previous years, this year’s theme of “Spread awareness, stop resistance”, calls on stakeholders, policymakers, health care providers, and the general public to be a part of the Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Awareness campaign.

“One Health” Approach

COVID-19 is only the latest zoonotic infection transmitted from animals to humans with fatal consequences.

The impact of antimicrobial resistance across human, animal, and environmental health requires a holistic and multisectoral approach referred to as a “One Health” approach.

This approach is collaborative, multisectoral, and transdisciplinary, recognizing the interconnections between people, animals and plants, and their shared environment.

During WAAW 2021, WHO will be promoting the responsible and prudent use of antibiotics across sectors, with different professions working together – from vets to doctors, pharmacists to farmers. WAAW will also raise awareness of other essential antimicrobials beyond antibiotics that are also affected by resistance.

How to Participate

• Share social media messages, images, and animated graphics on social media platforms using tags #AAW21, #BeAntibioticsAware, #AntibioticResistance, and #WAAW.
• 
  Include information about Antimicrobial Awareness Week in your organization’s print and e-newsletters.
• Print and share handouts and posters with patients and healthcare professionals.
• Play videoson TV screens and iPads in your medical office, pharmacy, waiting room, or lobby.

References :

1. World Antimicrobial Awareness Week – (https://www.who.int/campaigns/world-antimicrobial-awareness-week/2021)
2. World Antimicrobial Awareness Week 2021
   – (https://www.paho.org/en/campaigns/world-antimicrobial-awareness-week-2021)
3. World Antimicrobial Awareness Week – 18 to 24 November 2021
   – (https://www.health.gov.au/news/world-antimicrobial-awareness-week-18-to-24-november-2021)
4. European Antibiotic Awareness Day (EAAD) 2021
   – (https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/news-events/european-antibiotic-awareness-day-eaad-2021)

Source: Medindia