Antimicrobial resistance: now a political priority

Looking back at the ten years that she has served as the Director-General of WHO, Dr Margaret Chan emphasizes the complex challenge that the antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses, threatening to reverse the substantial progress against infectious diseases since the discovery of antibiotics. Antimicrobial resistance can be tackled only through a concerted global effort, led by heads of state and global institutions, and through coordinated action by the health and agricultural sectors, in partnership with the food industry, campaign groups, and community organizations.

World Antibiotic Awareness Week:13-19 November 2017

Antibiotic resistance is an increasingly serious threat to global health and human development. It is rising to dangerously high levels in all parts of the world, compromising our ability to treat infectious diseases and putting people everywhere at risk.

World Antibiotic Awareness Week aims to increase awareness of this important issue and to encourage best practices among the public, health workers, farmers, food producers, veterinarians and policy makers to avoid the further emergence and spread of antibiotic resistance.

This year, World Antibiotic Awareness Week will be held from 13 to 19 November.

WHO is encouraging all Member States, health partners and students, and the public to join this campaign and help raise awareness of antibiotic resistance.

It is not too late to reduce the impact of antibiotic resistance and we all have a part to play in preserving the effectiveness of antibiotics.

Antibiotics are a precious resource—we need to handle them with care.