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Celebrating Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness Week at UGMC: Educate. Advocate. Act Now.
The University of Ghana Medical Centre Ltd (UGMC) stands at the forefront of healthcare innovation and responsibility and is committed to fostering a healthy, sustainable future for all. Hence, in alignment with the global observance of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Awareness Week this year, the Centre in partnership with Denk Pharmaceuticals took significant steps to highlight the importance of tackling Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) and promote the wise use of antibiotics.
This year's AMR Week at UGMC focused on raising awareness among healthcare providers, clients, and the wider community about the critical importance of responsible antibiotic use. The programme featured a range of activities, including a social media awareness campaign, an AMR pledge wall where staff made individual pledges towards the proper use of antibiotics, online quizzes, as well as a grand durbar with a panel discussion on the theme and community engagements.
The former CEO of UGMC, Dr. Darius Osei, in his keynote speech, stated, “While AMR may not be a visible issue like natural disasters, its impact is just as devastating.”
He emphasized the need for interconnectedness between local, national, and international agencies in the battle against AMR.
Dr. Osei also revealed that the World Health Organization had issued a warning that AMR could be responsible for up to 10 million deaths globally by 2050, highlighting the urgent need for policies to combat the looming AMR pandemic.
A panel comprising Dr. Israel Abebrese Sefah, Head of Pharmacy at Volta Regional Hospital; DCOP Dr. Ellen Sam, a clinical pharmacist and adjunct lecturer at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) and Central University (CUC); and Mrs. Judith Asiamah, Director of Nursing and Midwifery Services at UGMC, shared the various initiatives they had implemented in their respective institutions and the challenges faced in the fight against AMR during the grand durbar.
All the panelists agreed that the involvement of management members within healthcare organizations was one of the key factors in strengthening education and the implementation of policies related to the improvement of AMR activities.
The community engagements organized on the last day of the weeklong celebration aimed to educate the public about the dangers of AMR. Health workers interacted with residents, sharing simple yet effective ways to prevent infections and reduce the unnecessary use of antibiotics. Information booths and social media campaigns amplified the message of safeguarding the effectiveness of antibiotics for future generations.
The commemoration of the 2024 Antimicrobial Awareness Week at UGMC not only marked an important moment to reflect on the challenges we face but also served as a catalyst for future action – action that requires strong collaboration among all healthcare actors as well as with other non-clinical sectors of society.
