“WHO” is creating awareness for resistance to antibiotics?

Resistance to antibiotics is a serious threat; every year, at least 700,000 people die worldwide from infections that no longer respond to antibiotics. That toll could rise to 10 million by 2050. Pneumonia and malaria are two of the deadliest diseases in the world, and are becoming resistant to antibiotics. This is due to overuse or misuse of antibiotics, which can trigger bacterial resistance. Not only is it a major threat to human health it is also affects sustainable food protection. The World Health Organisation (WHO) stated that “animals alike are becoming harder, and sometimes impossible, to treat as antibiotics become less effective.”

World Antibiotic Awareness Week 2017 runs from the 13-19th November 2017. The week helps raise importance for the public health topic and stresses the importance of getting the correct guidance from a qualified healthcare or veterinary professional.

During the week, WHO, FAO and OIE will unite to reach out to health professionals, governments, farmers and the general public to create awareness using a multitude of platforms, including social media, infographics, and quizzes. In support of the World Antibiotic Awareness Week countries around the world will join under the theme 'Antibiotic, the End of an Era'. There are 94 activities happening in 38 countries around the world, find out more information here.

“If we don’t tackle this threat with strong, coordinated action, antimicrobial resistance will take us back to a time when people feared common infections and risked their lives from minor surgery.” - Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director- General of WHO

Aid & Development Africa Summit will be helping to raise health awareness and explore best practice, partnership and innovations required to advance Africa’s progress towards health related Sustainable Development Goals. Private sector companies, NGOs and government representative’s investors will be brought together on 27-28 February 2018 in Nairobi, Kenya to network and facilitate cross sector collaboration. Expert speakers will share insights and ways to leverage local innovation and engage key stakeholders in order to enable access to crucial health care services in East Africa.

The Aid & Development Africa Summit 2018 will take place at the Safari Park Hotel. For more information and to see detailed agenda, please visit the http://africa.aidforum.org

Picture Credit: WHO