World AMR Awareness Week 2024
24 November 2024, Cairo, Egypt – Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a major threat to public health, economic growth and development in the Eastern Mediterranean Region. Misuse and overuse of antibiotics is a key driver of AMR. At almost 25% higher than the global average, the World Health Organization (WHO) Eastern Mediterranean Region has the highest antibiotic consumption in the world.
Marking the last day of World AMR Awareness Week (WAAW) 2024, WHO is calling on governments, development partners, health care professionals and professional associations, industry and researchers, communities, youth groups and individuals to continuously “Educate. Advocate. Act Now” to combat AMR.
Educate
Raising awareness and expanding access to reliable information empowers people to understand the risks of AMR and the urgent need for prevention strategies. It is essential to educate the public on the responsible use of antibiotics. For health care workers, national stewardship guidelines and the WHO AWaRe (Access, Watch, Reserve) antibiotic book provide concise, evidence-based guidance on the choice of antibiotic, dose, route of administration and duration of treatment.
Advocate
Concerted advocacy is needed to push AMR to the forefront of public health policies and community initiatives and increase resources for research and innovation. Through multi-stakeholder partnerships, including governments, international organizations, professional associations, the private sector, industry, research alliances and community and youth groups, we can develop tailored and action-oriented programmes to tackle AMR.
Act Now
We cannot wait. WAAW serves as a crucial reminder that AMR is a shared responsibility. We urge individuals,
