The World Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Antimicrobial Awareness Week (WAAW-2023) from November 18 to 24, 2023, is being celebrated at AIIMS Bhopal with the theme of "Preventing Antimicrobial Resistance Together," organized by the Hospital Infection Control Committee (HICC) as a part of a global campaign by WHO to raise awareness and understanding of antimicrobial resistance.
The campaign helps to promote best practices among One Health stakeholders to reduce the emergence and spread of drug-resistant infections since AMR is a well-identified threat to humans, animals, plants, and the environment.
The program on November 21, 2023, was inaugurated by Prof. Dr. Ajai Singh, Executive Director and CEO, AIIMS, Bhopal, by ceremonial lamp lighting. Dr. Debasis Biswas gave introductory remarks on the global burden of antimicrobial resistance and the need to contain AMR. Dr. Shashank Purwar, Dr. Navinchandra Kaore, and Dr. Vaibhav Ingale enlightened on important topics like the need for AMR awareness, dos and don'ts for preventing AMR, and the Physician's perspective on Empiric Antimicrobial therapy.
Addressing the gathering, Prof. Dr. Ajai Singh stressed the need to educate all the stakeholders on the prevention of AMR and emphasized the need for developing an antibiotic policy and strict enforcement by healthcare professionals. He also emphasized adherence to hospital infection control practices and praised poster competition participants.
The UG and PG students of MBBS and Nursing students, along with the nursing officers, participated in the poster-making competition organized on November 18 and 20, which Dr. Ratinder Jhaz and Dr. Seema Mahant judged.
Nukkad Natak for the general public to make them aware of the growing menace of antimicrobial resistance was presented by the 1st year BSc Nursing Students whom Dr. Anurag Bhai Patidar mentored.
The Executive Director gave the winners of the poster competition trophies. First Prize was secured by Miss Ruchi Vishwakarma whereas Miss Debasmita Sengupta and Miss Pavleen Kaur secured the second and third spots, respectively.
The WAAW 2023 celebrations will continue weeklong in various parts of the AIIMS, Bhopal, with Health Talks being organized by various departments and Infection Control Nurses in IPD and OPD waiting areas for public awareness.