World Antimicrobial Awareness Week (WAAW) 2022.
World Antimicrobial Awareness Week 2022 Activities
World Antimicrobial Awareness Week is a global campaign that takes place annually from 18 to 24 November to raise awareness and understanding of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). We have been actively participating in WAAW activities over the years, and 2022 was a great year for us too. World Antimicrobial Awareness Week 2022 was a great engagement for us with the theme for the week being, “Preventing Antimicrobial Resistance Together.” As is our yearly norm, we were happy to engage actively and support students and youth-led initiatives in creating awareness and advocating against Antimicrobial Resistance in WAAW 2022.
Below are some of our highlights for WAAW 2022:
KENYA
1. Supporting the Government of Kenya 🇰🇪 in planning and implementing WAAW 2022 youth engagement activities.
We were happy and privileged to support the Government of Kenya in its WAAW 2022 engagements. Our Head of Programs, Daniel Waruingi was a member of the WAAW planning committee and also a member of the Youth Events Subcommittee where he actively participated in organizing and planning youth activities on behalf of the organization.
We also financially and technically supported the Youth Photo Essay and Short Video Competition in collaboration with other organizations; ReAct Africa, World Animal Protection, AMR Now, and AFROHUN.
2. Supporting University Students in their WAAW Engagement Activities.
We were also happy to support students at the University of Nairobi led by the Nairobi University Pharmacy Students Association (NUPSA) in organizing an AMR walk across Nairobi City. NUPSA also collaborated with other health student organizations/clubs in the University to join us in solidarity to ensure a One Health approach. These included; Students One Health Innovation Club – Faculty of Health Sciences (SOHIC-FHS) chapter, Nairobi University Dental Students Association (NUDSA), Association of Medical Students of the University of Nairobi (AMSUN), Nairobi University Nursing Students Association (NUNSA), Association of Medical Laboratory Science and Technology Students of the University of Nairobi (AMELSTUN) as Veterinary Students’ Association (VSA). Students turned up in huge numbers to actively educate the public on the proper, safe, and responsible use of antibiotics. The walk created public awareness of AMR and highlighted best practices of antimicrobial use to reduce the further emergence and spread of AMR.
223 students joined in the walk, and they were able to reach out to a huge population of the public within Nairobi City. It was a great awareness opportunity.
Regionally- Africa
1. Fellowship Engagements Across Africa through the AMR Ambassadors Program
It was a great privilege to see fellows from across Africa participate in the World Antimicrobial Awareness Activities. Fellows engaged in the program from different countries in the African continent engaged in different advocacy and awareness activities. The countries engaged were: Kenya, Nigeria, Uganda, Zambia, Tanzania, Ghana, Cameroon, and Rwanda. We appreciate all the fellows for the incredible engagement! It was very empowering.
We thank the PAR Foundation for funding the program and all the organizations that helped us implement the program; ReAct Africa, Center for Infectious Diseases Research and Prevention- Antimicrobial Stewardship, Data Action Impact, Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria Biopharmaceutical Accelerator (CARB-X), Community Engagement for Antimicrobial Resistance, Uppsala Antibiotic Center, Global AMR R&D Hub, Antimicrobials in Society, and Black Sands.
2. Engagement with the International Pharmaceutical Students Association, African Regional Chapter (IPSF-Afro), and Alliance Against AMR (TRIPLE A).
We were invited by the International Pharmaceutical Students Association, African Regional Chapter to take part in a 3-day training on Antimicrobial Stewardship in collaboration with other experts Dr. Phumzile Skosana, and Dr. Tochi Okwor. It was a great opportunity to educate pharmacy students while still in school and after transitioning to practice against the dire threat of Antimicrobial Resistance.
3. Invitation to a Webinar by Makerere University, and the Students Coalition for Health (SCOFOH)
We were also invited by Makerere University, and the Students Coalition for Health (SCOFOH) to present a webinar on the Basics of AMR, and educate students and early career professionals from Uganda on how they could actively engage against the threat of Antimicrobial Resistance.
Globally
1. Participating in the AMRelay organized by AMR Insights
It was also a wonderful opportunity for us to engage in the AMRelay organized by AMR Insights. This was the second year we were participating and it was a great global platform for us to educate about youth engagement on AMR and also showcase the work that we have been doing. We were represented by our AMR Ambassadors Program Coordinator, Anastacia Sebbowa.
Youth Engagement is critical in the fight Against Antimicrobial Resistance. Let us unite to empower, and work with your youth!
