Championing antimicrobial stewardship

The author is Teacher

For the past two years, we have been dealing with this pandemic – and the last thing we need are learners who are not able to cope academically because of this health crisis.

The Bureau of Learning Delivery (BLD) highlighted that antimicrobial resistance or AMR has a direct impact on learners as they are more susceptible to infections caused by different strains of bacteria due to their age.

The Department of Education has expressed support in championing antimicrobial stewardship, especially as the world deals with the evolving threat of COVID-19.

Antimicrobial stewardship is defined as a coherent set of actions that promote the responsible use of antimicrobials, applied at the individual, national, and global levels, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

Recently, there was an event aimed at strengthening the AMR campaign and advocate urgent action by leaders across various sectors combating the accelerating crisis of AMR.

Education officials are encouraging stakeholders, teachers and learners to always follow the right dosage, selection, and the number of antimicrobials as prescribed by educated experts to advance stewardship on antimicrobials.

Officials have also been identifying entry points in the school curricula for possible integration in classroom discussion and activities, eventually in reaching teaching and learning resources and materials.

They are putting premium to this action because the proper education of the youth will certainly provide significant impact in solving this concern, officials added.

The Department of Health is encouraging everyone to stay true to their commitment to the responsible use of antimicrobials, become stewards of the future united to preserve antimicrobials, and be prepared even beyond the COVID-19 pandemic.

The education sector is the greatest force in fostering increased awareness and behavioral change in the overall comb at scheme against AMR through awareness campaigns, school education, and continuing education.

Teachers play an important role in strategizing effectively to help students in shaping their ideas and developing attitudes towards the prudent use of an t i bi ot i cs.

There is a need for urgent action and that includes educating our public and private care professionals on the proper or correct use of antibiotics to secure long-term availability of antibiotic treatments, officials stressed.

AMR requires the “One Health” Approach in which human and animal health, and agriculture and food production sectors work together to contain its spread.

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The author is Master Teacher II at M. Nepomuceno Elementary School