The fight against the emergence and spread of multidrug-resistant organisms needs intervention on several fronts. One area of focus is advocacy – creating awareness among the public and healthcare professional communities – and there's no better time to achieve this than during World Antimicrobial Awareness Week (WAAW).
The Ohio State University Global One Health initiative (GOHi), Federal Ministry of Health, Zewuditu Memorial Hospital and Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital celebrated WAAW from November 18-30. During this year's celebration, GOHi worked on creating awareness in three target groups at each facility: patients, clinicians and Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) committees.
While creating awareness was the main agenda for the first two target groups, revitalizing weakened committee activities in each facility was also a goal. More than 200 patients from different departments received health education on AMR.
In addition, the team hosted a seminar and panel discussion with 85 clinical staff, including guests from Addis Ababa Health Bureau. Professionals presented the concept of AMR, antibiogram data of the two hospitals, chart audit findings and consumption reports on the antimicrobial use of facilities. Twenty AMR committee members were reenergized during the revitalization meetings. Activities from the three focus areas will serve as a stepping stone to strengthen efforts to implement rational use of antimicrobials in the hospitals.