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Tribune News Network
Doha
Aster Medical Centers across Qatar and Aster Hospital Doha, a division of Aster DM Healthcare, one of the leading integrated healthcare service providers in the region, have observed World Antimicrobial Awareness Week (WAAW).
WAAW is an international campaign aimed at increasing awareness of global antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and to encourage best practices among the community and health professionals to avoid the further emergence and spread of drug-resistant infections.
The week-long campaign was launched by Dr Sameer Moopan, chief executive officer - Aster Qatar, along with Dr Nazar Moopan, medical director - Aster Qatar, in the presence of Kapil Chib, chief operating officer - Aster Hospital, Dr Binoy Kurian, microbiologist & infection control officer - Aster Qatar, Dr Mahesh Patel, head of quality assurance - Aster Qatar, Regina Pinto, head of Nursing Service, and other officials of Aster Qatar.
A series of AMR awareness activities were executed for outpatient, in-patient and healthcare professionals including Continuing Professional Development (CPD) activity specially designed for physicians, nurses and pharmacies.
During the inaugural address, Dr Sameer Moopan reiterated antimicrobial resistance is a global health threat. Misuse and overuse of antimicrobials are the main drivers in the development of drug-resistant pathogens. The cost of AMR to the economy is significant. In addition to death and disability, prolonged illness results in longer hospital stays, the need for more expensive medicines and financial challenges for those impacted. Without effective antimicrobials, the success of modern medicine in treating infections, including during major surgery and cancer chemotherapy, would be at increased risk. It is high time we united together to preserve antimicrobials.”
Dr Mahesh Patel said resistance grows to a wider range of drugs, hence this year Aster Hospital & Medical Centers have broadened the focus of this campaign from antibiotics to all antimicrobials.
The week-long campaign was themed ‘United to preserve antimicrobials’.
Dr Binoy Kurian briefed that AMR occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites resist the effects of medications, making common infections harder to treat and increasing the risk of disease spread, severe illness and death. “Also, misuse of antibiotics during COVID-19 pandemic could lead to accelerated emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance. COVID-19 is caused by a virus, not by bacteria and therefore antibiotics should not be used to prevent or treat viral infections, unless bacterial infections are also present,” he said.
Doha
Aster Medical Centers across Qatar and Aster Hospital Doha, a division of Aster DM Healthcare, one of the leading integrated healthcare service providers in the region, have observed World Antimicrobial Awareness Week (WAAW).
WAAW is an international campaign aimed at increasing awareness of global antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and to encourage best practices among the community and health professionals to avoid the further emergence and spread of drug-resistant infections.
The week-long campaign was launched by Dr Sameer Moopan, chief executive officer - Aster Qatar, along with Dr Nazar Moopan, medical director - Aster Qatar, in the presence of Kapil Chib, chief operating officer - Aster Hospital, Dr Binoy Kurian, microbiologist & infection control officer - Aster Qatar, Dr Mahesh Patel, head of quality assurance - Aster Qatar, Regina Pinto, head of Nursing Service, and other officials of Aster Qatar.
A series of AMR awareness activities were executed for outpatient, in-patient and healthcare professionals including Continuing Professional Development (CPD) activity specially designed for physicians, nurses and pharmacies.
During the inaugural address, Dr Sameer Moopan reiterated antimicrobial resistance is a global health threat. Misuse and overuse of antimicrobials are the main drivers in the development of drug-resistant pathogens. The cost of AMR to the economy is significant. In addition to death and disability, prolonged illness results in longer hospital stays, the need for more expensive medicines and financial challenges for those impacted. Without effective antimicrobials, the success of modern medicine in treating infections, including during major surgery and cancer chemotherapy, would be at increased risk. It is high time we united together to preserve antimicrobials.”
Dr Mahesh Patel said resistance grows to a wider range of drugs, hence this year Aster Hospital & Medical Centers have broadened the focus of this campaign from antibiotics to all antimicrobials.
The week-long campaign was themed ‘United to preserve antimicrobials’.
Dr Binoy Kurian briefed that AMR occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites resist the effects of medications, making common infections harder to treat and increasing the risk of disease spread, severe illness and death. “Also, misuse of antibiotics during COVID-19 pandemic could lead to accelerated emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance. COVID-19 is caused by a virus, not by bacteria and therefore antibiotics should not be used to prevent or treat viral infections, unless bacterial infections are also present,” he said.
