Doha, November 26 (QNA) - The State of Qatar participated in the 2024 World Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness Week (WAAW), held from 18-24 November, under the theme "Educate. Advocate. Act Now." The week is part of an annual global initiative held during the third week of November to increase awareness and understanding of antimicrobial resistance across all sectors and to promote unified action to mitigate it.

To mark the occasion, the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) and its partners organized several key activities and events, most notably a major virtual event. The event brought together healthcare experts and specialists alongside representatives from academic institutions to discuss this year's theme, "Educate. Advocate. Act Now." Additionally, the Ministry's building was illuminated in blue to symbolize the celebration.

Several healthcare institutions, animal health authorities, food safety organisations, environmental health sectors, academic institutions, and other relevant entities across Qatar collaborated to highlight the urgent need to take action to combat the antimicrobial resistance crisis.

Healthcare institutions and stakeholders hosted internal events, educational lectures, and awareness activities aimed at encouraging sustainable practices for infection prevention and control, promoting the responsible use of antimicrobials, and reaffirming their ongoing commitment to tackling antimicrobial resistance.

The participation of health sector institutions in the 2024 World Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness Week reflects a commitment to strengthening collaboration as well as contributing to global efforts against antimicrobial resistance.

The theme "Educate. Advocate. Act Now" emphasizes the urgent need to raise awareness, advocate for effective political commitments, and implement concrete actions against antimicrobial resistance. This year's theme calls on everyone, from policymakers to the general public, to take bold steps towards sustainable antimicrobial use and to foster accountability and responsibility at every level of society. (QNA)