Dr. Nazar Moopan, Dr. Binoy Kurian, Dr. Mahesh Patel and other officials during the AMR awareness activity held at Aster Hilal.
Doha: Aster Medical Centers and Aster Hospital Doha, a division of Aster DM Healthcare, has observed World Antimicrobial Awareness Week (WAAW) across their healthcare facilities in Qatar.
WAAW is an international campaign aimed to increase awareness of global antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and to encourage best practices among the community and health professionals to avoid the further emergence and spread of drug-resistant infections.
The week-long campaign was launched by Chief Executive Officer - Aster Qatar, Dr. Sameer Moopan and Medical Director - Aster Qatar, Dr. Nazar Moopan, in the presence of Chief Operating Officer - Aster Hospital, Kapil Chib; Microbiologist & Infection Control Officer - Aster Qatar, Dr. Binoy Kurian; Head of Quality Assurance - Aster Qatar, Dr Mahesh Patel; Head of Nursing Service, Regina Pinto and other officials of Aster Qatar.
A series of AMR awareness activities was executed for outpatient, in-patient and healthcare professionals including Continuing Professional Development (CPD) activity specially designed for physicians, nurses and pharmacists.
During his inaugural address, Dr. Moopan reiterated antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global health and development threat. “Misuse and overuse of antimicrobials are the main drivers in the development of drug-resistant pathogens. The cost of AMR to the economy is significant. In addition to death and disability, prolonged illness results in longer hospital stays, the need for more expensive medicines and financial challenges for those impacted.”
“Without effective antimicrobials, the success of modern medicine in treating infections, including during major surgery and cancer chemotherapy, would be at increased risk. It is high time we unit together to preserve antimicrobials” he added.
Talking about other activities, Dr. Patel said resistance grows to a wider range of drugs, hence this year Aster Hospital & Medical Centers have broadened the focus of this campaign from antibiotics to all antimicrobials. Weeklong camping was based on theme “United to preserve antimicrobials” with slogan “Antimicrobials: handle with care” shared on World Health Organization.
Dr. Kurian briefed that antimicrobial resistance (AMR) occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites resist the effects of medications, making common infections harder to treat and increasing the risk of disease spread, severe illness and death.
Also, misuse of antibiotics during COVID-19 pandemic could lead to accelerated emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance. COVID-19 is caused by a virus, not by bacteria and therefore antibiotics should not be used to prevent or treat viral infections, unless bacterial infections are also present.
