“Educate. Advocate. Act now.”
The World Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness Week (WAAW) is an annual global campaign aiming at raising awareness about antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and promoting best practices among One Health stakeholders to reduce the emergence and spread of drug-resistant infections. WAAW is observed every year from November 18-24. The theme for the World AMR Awareness Week (WAAW) 2024 is “Educate. Advocate. Act now.”
“Being part of this event was a truly enriching experience, and I am grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with such passionate peers and faculty. Events like these not only deepen our understanding of critical healthcare issues but also remind us of the power of collective efforts in creating awareness.” said Mr. Prasanna Appiya Premvignesh, a 3rd year BBMS student after participating in the ‘Microbes and Antimicrobial Resistance 2024’, an interprofessional event organized by the students of the third year Bachelor of Biomedical Science (BBMS) program, College of Medicine and second year Bachelor of Pharmacy (BPharm) program, College of Pharmacy on 25th November 2024 at Gulf Medical University.
The Microbiology faculty from the Department of Biomedical Sciences, CoM, Dr. Janita Pinto, Associate Professor, and Ms. Aswathy Nandakumar, Lecturer, provided guidance to the students. Prof. Muhammad Al-Shorbagy, Dean of College of Pharmacy, GMU stated that, “As we continue to emphasize the importance of interprofessional education, the recent collaboration between our 2nd year BPharm students and BBMS students under the theme ‘Microbes and Antimicrobial Resistance’ exemplifies the power of integrated learning. This initiative not only deepens students’ understanding of microbial threats but also fosters a collaborative mindset essential for future healthcare professionals. At the College of Pharmacy, Gulf Medical University, we remain committed to interdisciplinary engagement, ensuring our graduates are well-prepared to tackle global health challenges through teamwork and evidence-based practice.”
Students from across the BBMS, MD and HDPCS program, College of Medicine participated enthusiastically in this event. Ms. Ayesha Muhammad Ilyas, a second year BPharm student, said “The event was a great experience where I got to collaborate with BBMS and Pharmacy students to discuss antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Through discussions and case studies, I learned how microbiology and pharmacy work together in responsible antibiotic use and resistance prevention. It was an engaging and interactive session that made me appreciate the importance of teamwork in healthcare.”
Students presented engaging and informative facts about microbiology and antimicrobial resistance, sharing recent findings on the subject with their peers and faculty. The event also focused on the importance of vaccination and highlighted key vaccines in the fight against infectious diseases. Moreover, it underscored the significance of proper handwashing as one of the most effective ways to prevent the transmission of diseases, offering a hands-on exploration of the microbial world we interact with daily.
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