Week Calls Attention to Antibiotic Resistance
A global action plan to tackle this growing problem was endorsed at the Sixty-eighth World Health Assembly in May 2015; a key objective of the plan is to improve awareness and understanding of antimicrobial resistance through effective communication, education, and training.
The World Health Organization is among the organizations recognizing World Antibiotic Awareness Week on Nov. 16-22. The week is intended to increase awareness of global antibiotic resistance and to encourage best practices among the general public, health workers, and policymakers to avoid the spread of antibiotic resistance.
A global action plan to tackle this growing problem was endorsed at the Sixty-eighth World Health Assembly in May 2015; a key objective of the plan is to improve awareness and understanding of antimicrobial resistance through effective communication, education, and training.
WHO reports that the theme of the campaign, "Antibiotics: Handle with Care," reflects the message that antibiotics are a precious resource and should be used to treat bacterial infections only when prescribed by a certified health professional. "Antibiotics should never be shared and the full course of treatment should be completed – not saved for the future," WHO cautions.
It is asking all Member States and health partners to join the campaign, using factsheets, infographics, posters, and multimedia materials from WHO in their local campaigns.