WHO urges coordinated action against antibiotics resistance

The focus for this year is on stopping the COVID-19 pandemic from worsening the ongoing antibiotic resistance crisis.

We have learned that the increasing misuse of antibiotics during the crisis is driving AMR even faster and may lead to shortages of medicines for those who really need it. 

To discuss antimicrobial resistance and raise awareness on the correct use antibiotics, World Health Organization Country Office in Azerbaijan organized a media briefing together with the Ministry of Health, TABIB and Food Safety Agency. 

WHO Representative in Azerbaijan, Dr. Hande Harmanci, emphasized the importance of the correct use of antibiotics especially in the flu season and during the COVID-19 pandemic in her opening remarks. WHO’s specialist Dr. Javahir Suleymanova provided information on the WHO recommendations and the collaborative work in Azerbaijan in this area, while the representatives of the Ministry of Health and Food Safety Agency Nazifa Mursalova and Tamilla Aliyeva talked about their work around antibiotic resistance and COVID.

A survey to assess the level of antibiotic awareness among the population in Baku and Sumgait will be conducted within the month. This will be one of a series of surveys done each year to monitor the change in this area.

Every year, World Antimicrobial Awareness Week aims to increase awareness of global antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and to encourage best practices among the general public, health workers and policy makers to stop the further emergence and spread of drug-resistant infections.