Informator uniwersytecki
numer 033
grudzień 2024
★
2
World Antibiotic Awareness Week 2024: Advocating Responsible Antibiotic Use at USK Nr 4
On November 22, 2024, USK Nr 4, Lublin, became a hub for promoting responsible antibiotic use as part of World Antibiotic Awareness Week (WAAW). This global campaign, spearheaded by the World Health Organization (WHO), aims to increase awareness of antibiotic resistance and encourage best practices among the public, healthcare workers, and policymakers. The 2024 theme, Educate, Advocate, and Act NOW, calls for immediate collective action to preserve the effectiveness of antibiotics for future generations.
In Poland, where antibiotic resistance remains a significant public health challenge, the importance of such campaigns cannot be overstated. A 2023 European Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance Network (EARS-Net) report highlighted a concerning prevalence of multi-drug-resistant infections in the country, driven in part by overuse and misuse of antibiotics. Public awareness and stewardship programs are therefore vital in addressing this growing issue.
In Poland, where antibiotic resistance remains a significant public health challenge, the importance of such campaigns cannot be overstated. A 2023 European Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance Network (EARS-Net) report highlighted a concerning prevalence of multi-drug-resistant infections in the country, driven in part by overuse and misuse of antibiotics. Public awareness and stewardship programs are therefore vital in addressing this growing issue.
Recognizing this urgency, the English Division Student Government (EDSG), PTSF Lublin, and the Student Scientific Circle of the Laboratory of Locomotor System Research (Studenckie Koło Naukowe Pracowni Badań Narządu Ruchu) under the leadership of Professor Tomasz Blicharski, organized a multi-faceted event to educate and engage the community. The program was meticulously planned and executed by a team of committed students:
Through presentations and discussions, the program shed light on the mechanisms of resistance and the far-reaching consequences of overusing antibiotics. It also explored the global implications of resistance, including treatment failures, prolonged hospital stays, and increased healthcare costs.
This initiative exemplifies the power of education and advocacy in addressing one of the most pressing global health challenges. By aligning with WHO’s call to Educate, Advocate, and Act NOW, the event inspired attendees to adopt responsible practices and become stewards in their communities.
Such collaborations among student organizations, healthcare professionals, and the public underscore the importance of unity in combating antibiotic resistance. The organizers hope this campaign serves as a catalyst for continued action and awareness in Poland and beyond, reinforcing the need to safeguard antibiotics for future generations.
Author: Zeeshan Zulfiqar
- Studenckie Koło Naukowe Pracowni Badań Narządu Ruchu: Aleksandra Bełżek, Mateusz Trubalski, Marta Żerebiec, Natalia Kołodyńska
- PTSF Lublin: Natalia Szpaczyńska, Małgorzata Adamska, Julia Jakubowska, Maria Gutowska
- EDSG: Zeeshan Zulfiqar, Amir Nour Mohammadi
Through presentations and discussions, the program shed light on the mechanisms of resistance and the far-reaching consequences of overusing antibiotics. It also explored the global implications of resistance, including treatment failures, prolonged hospital stays, and increased healthcare costs.
This initiative exemplifies the power of education and advocacy in addressing one of the most pressing global health challenges. By aligning with WHO’s call to Educate, Advocate, and Act NOW, the event inspired attendees to adopt responsible practices and become stewards in their communities.
Such collaborations among student organizations, healthcare professionals, and the public underscore the importance of unity in combating antibiotic resistance. The organizers hope this campaign serves as a catalyst for continued action and awareness in Poland and beyond, reinforcing the need to safeguard antibiotics for future generations.
Author: Zeeshan Zulfiqar
Photo: Łukasz Głaczkowski
© 2022 Centrum Symulacji Medycznej UM w Lublinie