Manipal Academy of Higher Education and Wayne State University, USA is conducting an International Conference in Observance of World Antimicrobial Awareness Week 2021
Bengaluru, 12th Nov 2021, Manipal Academy of Higher Education spearheaded by Department of Infectious Diseases, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal and Wayne State University, the USA who share the common vision of Combating Antimicrobial Resistance worldwide, have come together to hold this Virtual International Conference on Tackling Antimicrobial Resistance on World Antimicrobial Awareness Week 2021.
Observed every year between 18-24 November, the World Antimicrobial Awareness Week (WAAW) aims to raise awareness globally on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and encourages best practices among the public, health workers, farmers, and policymakers to avoid the outspread of drug-resistant infections the earliest. This year’s theme for World Antimicrobial Awareness Week 2021 is “Spread Awareness, stop Resistance”. As in previous years, the overall slogan for antimicrobial resistance awareness. The Vice-Chancellor of MAHE, Lt Gen (Dr) MD Venkatesh will inaugurate the conference and Dr V Ramasubramaniam, President of Clinical Infectious Diseases Society of India will be the guest on honor.
While antimicrobial resistance might not be the need of the hour as compared to the pandemic, but it is equally dangerous. It must be dealt with on a war footing to mitigate an AMR pandemic and it may occur when viruses, fungi, bacteria, and parasites change over time and no longer respond to medicines and making the infections harder to treat while increasing the risk of disease, severe illness, and even death. Measures to prevent infection include getting vaccinated, good hand hygiene, food safety practices, and increasing availability of clean water and sanitation facilities. Prudent and responsible use of antimicrobials as prescribed by doctors and avoiding over the counter sale of antimicrobials is pivotal in reducing AMR.
Dr Kavitha Saravu, Professor and Head of the Department of Infectious Diseases, Kasturba Medical College Manipal, and the Conference Chair said that “In the Virtual International conference spread over a week, around 600 participants from across the globe are expected to take part. International AMR experts from Wayne State University such as Dr Chandrasekhar, Dr Sanjay Revankar, Dr Mario Scipione, Dr Teena Chopra, and Dr Jason Roberts from University of Queensland, Australia, and Faculty from Department of Infectious Diseases, KMC Manipal and Departments of Medicine and Microbiology from Kasturba Medical College, Mangalore will be discussing various aspects of AMR and anti-microbial stewardship” . A quiz on drugs Vs bugs will be organized for students by the Departments of Infectious Diseases and Emergency Medicine, KMC Manipal. Literacy Club of Department of Pharmacy Practice, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences will be holding Community Outreach activities to spread awareness.
