“Antimicrobial resistance is a danger of the utmost urgency. This year will be a pivotal one…We have a global action plan. What we need now is the action”
Margaret Chan, WHO Director – General addresses the Executive Board.
Report by the Director-General to the Executive Board at its 138th Session
Geneva, Switzerland. 25 January 2016
Antibiotic Awareness Week is endorsed by the World Health Organization, acknowledging the global importance of this growing public health issue. All health services and hospitals are encouraged to take part, to help raise awareness of the problem of antibiotic resistance and ways to address this issue.
Key Messages
- Antibiotics are a precious resource that could be lost.
- Antibiotic resistance is happening now – it is a worldwide problem that affects human and animal health.
- Antibiotic resistance happens when bacteria stops an antibiotic from working effectively – meaning some infections may be impossible to treat.
- Few new antibiotics are being developed to help solve this problem.
- Misuse of antibiotics contributes to antibiotic resistance.
- Whenever antibiotics are used, they must be used for appropriate reasons.
AIMED will be posting on topics and events all throughout Antibiotic Awareness Week. If you would like to get involved, contact AIMED or see the links to supporting organisation’s websites (below).
AAW is supported by the:
- NSW Clinical Excellence Commission,
- Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care,
- World Health Organisation and
- NPS Medicinewise.
- Australasian Society for Infectious Diseases
- Australian Society for Antimicrobials
- Australasian College for Infection Prevention and Control
- Society of Hospital Pharmacists Australia.
AIMED - Let's talk about antibiotics 