WHAT IS AMR?
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is when tiny, invisible germs like bacteria, viruses, and other bugs become super strong and make our sickness more difficult. They put on superhero suits that make them invincible against medicines that used to stop them. These medicines are called antibiotics, antivirals, antifungals, and antiparasitics, and are supposed to help us when we get sick, but when germs become resistant, it's harder for doctors to make us better.
WHAT CAN YOU DO TO PREVENT IT?
1. Wash your hands
to prevent the spreading of germs and avoid close contact with sick people
2. Use antimicrobial appropriately
by completing the full prescription course recommended by your doctor, even if youfeel better
3. Keep your vaccinations up-to-date
to prevent the spreading of germs and avoid close contact with sick people
4. Ask questions
to your healthcareprovider about risks for certaininfections so you can take better care.
Collective Prevention Services concerning awareness contact CPS.healthpromo@sintmaartengov.org or call at +1 (721) 542-1222/1570
Invitation to Join in the AMR Global awareness initiatives.
The World AMR Awareness Week (WAAW) is a global campaign to raise awareness and understanding of AMR and promote best practices among One Health stakeholders to reduce the emergence and spread of drug-resistant infections. WAAW is celebrated from 18-24 November every year.
The theme for WAAW 2023 will remain "Preventing antimicrobial resistance together", as in 2022. AMR is a threat to humans, animals, plants, and the environment. It affects us all.
This year's theme calls for cross-sectoral collaboration to preserve the effectiveness of antimicrobials. To effectively reduce AMR, all sectors must use antimicrobials prudently and appropriately, take preventive measures to decrease the incidence of infections and follow good practices in disposal of antimicrobial contaminated waste.
Acknowledging the collective global action across sectors required to address AMR, the color light blue has been selected for a global campaign “Go Blue”.
It is anticipated that campaign participants, buildings, or landmarks will 'Go Blue' so the collective actions, combined with relevant WAAW advocacy messaging, will raise awareness about antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and antimicrobial use (AMU).
Joining the campaign can serve as an individual or joint commitment to be stewards of responsible antimicrobial use.
How do you get involved?
● 'Go Blue' as an individual:
- Wear blue during world-antimicrobial-awareness-week WAAW events.
- Adjust your social media profiles with WAAW campaign digital resources.
- Tell your family, peers, colleagues, and communities why you 'Go Blue' during WAAW. 'I'm going blue in honor of my uncle, who contracted a drug-resistant infection following hip surgery.'; OR 'I’m going blue to demonstrate my commitment as a doctor to responsible antimicrobial prescribing’; OR 'I’m going blue to demonstrate my commitment as a patient/person to responsible antimicrobial use.”
● ‘Go Blue’ as a workplace:
- One Health stakeholder facilities (human and animal hospitals, clinics, laboratory facilities, pharmaceutical companies, universities) are encouraged to light up blue throughout the week and share their reasons for ‘going blue’ as an institution as well as take some time as a team to internally increased awareness on AMR and AMU
● ‘Go Blue’ as a community:
On 24 November, the final day of WAAW, we encourage local landmarks and other buildings (Including workplaces, water towers, sanitation facilities, etc.) to light up in light blue to collectively raise AMR awareness and demonstrate commitment to being stewards of responsible antimicrobial use across the sectors.
- Use the opportunity to publicly highlight the commitment to properly using antibiotics if necessary.
Share your moments and involvement in “Go Blue” campaign for AMR /AMU on Social media tiles, videos, radio spots and other media.
The Tripartite organizations have created global and regionally gratis visual media that are available in multiple languages for use in your own virtual and/or in-person events. You can access these below.
Organization’s specific resources: