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MoPH and the health sector celebrate World Antimicrobial Awareness Week

​The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH), Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) and the Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) are participating in the celebration of the Global Antimicrobial Awareness Week, from November 18 to 24, under the slogan “Spread awareness, Stop resistance”.

​The World Antimicrobial Awareness Week is a celebration celebrated by the World Health Organization (WHO) since 2015 as a global event aimed at better understanding the problem of antimicrobial resistance and encouraging the fight against the aggravation of the spread of antimicrobial resistance infection.

 

World Antimicrobial Awareness Week aims to raise awareness of the risks of antimicrobial resistance at global, regional, and local levels, and encourage the application of best practices among the public, policy makers, workers at the field of human and animal health as well as in other related sectors. This is in addition to helping to reduce incorrect consumption. and maintaining the effectiveness of antibiotics for as long as possible, so that those who need them can get the best possible treatment.

 

On this occasion Dr. Abdul Latif Al-Khal, Chair of the National Antimicrobial Resistant Committee, at MOPH and Head of Infectious Diseases at HMC, said: ” Antibiotic resistance is an important global public health challenge and threatens our ability to treat infectious diseases. Without effective antimicrobials, the success of modern medicine in treating infections, including during major surgery and cancer chemotherapy, would be at increased risk.

 

Dr Alkhal emphasized that “The National Antimicrobial Resistant Committee is playing an effective role and leading in improving the practices of workers in the health sector and other related sectors in order to optimize the proper use of antimicrobials, raise awareness around the increasing of antimicrobial resistance, as well as take all actions necessary to achieve the related WHO’s Sustainable Development Goals.”

 

Mrs. Huda Amer Al Katheeri, Director of the Strategic Planning and Performance Department at MoPH said: ”celebrating the World Antimicrobial Awareness Week highlights the importance of supporting efforts to increase the optimal use of antimicrobials at hospitals, healthcare settings and other sectors with appropriate medical supervision, noting that antimicrobial resistance makes it more difficult to treat common infections and accelerates the rate of infection, and may lead to death.”

 

Mrs. Huda Al Katheeri added that addressing the phenomenon of antimicrobial resistance is a top priority for MoPH and an important part of its plans and strategies. The National Action Plan to combat Antimicrobial Resistance has been approved since 2018, and its terms are being implemented.

 

Dr. Samya Ahmad Al – Abdulla, Executive Director of Operations at PHCC, said: “PHCC, as customary annually, will join the rest of the world in this campaign d from November 18 to 24, 2021, as the Infection Prevention and Drug Administration team at PHCC prepared activities for employees and patients in the health centers. Moreover, the Infection Control Team coordinated with the Public Relations and Institutional Communication Team in promoting this campaign in the community. Daily awareness lectures for health center staff will also be organized during the week-long campaign with a focus on antibiotic resistance. PHCC staff will also receive daily text messages (in both Arabic and English) about antimicrobial awareness.” Patients at health centers will also be encouraged to participate in the campaign, and a questionnaire will be sent to patients to raise awareness about antimicrobials.

 

Qatar’s celebration of this global event includes awareness activities to highlight and raise awareness of antimicrobial resistance in all health care institutions. Awareness materials are also provided to cover the event and distribute across the health sector and all other related sectors. In addition, there is an extensive social media campaign in support of efforts to promote awareness of antimicrobial resistance and its optimal use.

 

Several landmarks in the country, including MoPH building, were also lit in blue, as a symbolic gesture in recognition of the efforts made to prevent antimicrobial resistance based on the recommendation of WHO.

 

Antimicrobial resistance occurs when bacteria, viruses, or parasites change shape over time and do not respond to drugs, posing a threat to global health and development, which leads to the difficulty of treating these diseases, and its impact on the health and safety of the society and poses threat to global development.

 

Source: Ministry of Public Health

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