The Emerging Antimicrobial Resistance Society (EARS), a non-profit organisation — which had waged a battle against drug-resistant bacteria that are defying antibiotics — concluded its second “Awareness Week on Antibiotic Knowledge and Education” (Awake) campaign to promote the rational use of antibiotics with a motorcycle rally from the National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research in Mohali to General Hospital in Panchkula.
The irrational use of antibiotics has led to the emergence of dangerous bacterial strains against which even the most powerful antibiotics have stopped working. These strains could make even common infections life-threatening.
To draw attention to this growing problem, considered one of the world`s gravest public health threats, EARS conducted a series of activities from November 15 to 22 to promote the rational use of antibiotics among the public.
A cavalcade of about 60 motorcycles, driven by EARS volunteers, traversed a distance of 22 km, covering major hospitals of the tricity. They carried banners with slogans like “In cough, cold and sneeze, no antibiotics please”, “Use antibiotics wisely and be healthy” and “Take action today to save tomorrow”.