The HSE locally will be marking the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) Antimicrobial Awareness Week (18th to 24th November, 2024).
The WHO’s Antimicrobial Awareness Week is a global campaign to raise awareness and understanding of Antimicrobial Resistance and promote best practices in every area where antimicrobials are used to reduce the emergence and spread of drug-resistant infections.
European Antibiotic Awareness Day (EAAD), which takes place on the 18th November and is a European Union health initiative which aims to provide a platform and support for national campaigns on the prudent use of antibiotics is also being marked by the HSE.
Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites no longer respond to antimicrobial agents. As a result of drug resistance, antibiotics and other antimicrobial agents become ineffective and infections become difficult or impossible to treat, increasing the risk of disease spread, severe illness and death.
The theme for the World AMR Awareness Week 2024 is “Educate. Advocate. Act now.”
Speaking about the AMR Awareness events, Catherine Mannion (Senior Antimicrobial Pharmacist, Community Healthcare services, HSE Dublin and South East) says:
“Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a pressing global health and socioeconomic crisis. It has significant impacts on human and animal health, food production and the environment. Drug-resistant-pathogens pose a threat to everyone, everywhere. Yet, much more can be done to raise public and stakeholder awareness.”
“Across counties Carlow, Kilkenny, Waterford, Wexford and South Tipperary, a baseline audit of Antimicrobial Usage in all HSE older persons residential care facilities, rehab facilities and short term residential beds in the community was carried out in 2020. This baseline audit showed a high rate of antimicrobial usage in these settings, 15% compared to national rates of 12% and European rates of 5%. Antimicrobial Stewardship has since been introduced into these settings. The rate of antimicrobial usage has fallen by more than a third to 9.5% in quarter two of 2024, which is more in line with the current national average of 8%. There remains more work to be done.”
“Nationally, the HSE’s Primary Care Reimbursement Service monitor GP prescribing of antimicrobials, with a focus on increasing prescribing of green antimicrobials which are less likely to cause antimicrobial resistance and are safer for patients. In the latest national report (June 2024), 71% of all GMS antibiotics for the previous 12 months prescribed up to the end of June 2024 were green antimicrobials in the HSE’s Dublin and South East health region. This is almost at the national target of 72% and above the current national rate of 71% which is very positive feedback for local GPs.”
“We all have a part to play on how to use antimicrobials appropriately. The time to act is now, to ensure that we and also future generations have effective antimicrobials to fight infections.”
Last updated on: 15 / 11 / 2024
