World Antimicrobial Awareness Week (WAAW) aims to increase awareness of global antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and to encourage best practices among the general public, health care providers, farmers, animal health professionals and policy makers to avoid the further emergence and spread of drug-resistant infections.
The WAAW 2021 campaign calls on all stakeholders to recognize that everyone can be an Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Awareness advocate/champion. Stakeholders are encouraged to spread awareness about what AMR is, share stories about its consequences, and demonstrate how the actions of individuals, families, professionals, and communities affect the spread of AMR.
AMR occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites change over time and no longer respond to antimicrobial medicines. Therefore, antimicrobials – agents that are critical tools for fighting diseases in humans, animals and plants including antibiotics, antivirals, antifungals and antiparasitics – become ineffective and infections persist in the body, increasing the risk of spread to others. As a result, infections are more difficult to treat and may lead to severe illness and death.
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) continues to threaten the effective prevention and treatment of an ever-increasing range of infections caused by bacteria, parasites, viruses and fungi. The problem of AMR has become so threatening that the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared it as one of the top 10 global public health threats facing humanity. It therefore remains one of the most urgent threats to human health.
The WAAW will be observed during November 18th – 24th and will support a multisectoral One Health Approach with increased stakeholder commitment. Therefore, everyone can unite to improve antimicrobial use. The theme for WAAW 2020 for the human health sector is “Spread Awareness, Stop Resistance”. The slogan for 2021 ‘Antimicrobials: Handle with Care’ is applicable to all sectors.
The campaign objectives are as follows:
• 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 effectiveness through vigilant 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.
The Ministry of Health and Human Services (MoHHS), by way of its draft national action plan, continues to work with a team of health professionals from various sectors to tackle the very serious problem of AMR. Among other objectives of the plan, the MoHHS will seek to improve awareness and understanding of AMR, strengthen knowledge through surveillance and research, reduce the incidence of infection and improve the use of antimicrobial agents. Additionally, as a part of WAAW, the following events are being planned:
The radio programme Health Matters will focus on antimicrobial resistance on Monday, 22nd Nov 2021 on Radio Turks and Caicos (RTC)
Leaflet distribution to patients in the Pharmacies, Primary Health Care clinics and other healthcare facilities
Sharing of information on the Health Promotion and Advocacy Unit’s Facebook page. (https://m.facebook.com/tcihealthpromotions)
Displaying information videos at the TCI Hospitals
Booths set up at TCI Hospitals to provide information
AMR presentations to be conducted in person and via online platforms to various schools and church groups across the islands.
