The Medical City Wins Antimicrobial Resistance Champion Award

By The Medical City (TMC), Ortigas | December 07, 2021

In line with the celebration of the Philippine Antimicrobial Awareness Week (PAAW) this year, the DOH Pharmaceutical Division held a contest titled, "Call for AMR Champions" where stakeholders from hospitals, primary healthcare facilities, and the industry participated. TMC’s entry showcased the hospital’s best practices in implementing Antimicrobial Stewardship (AMS) and in advocating for AMR awareness.

Even before the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, the global medical community has long considered Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) as one of the greatest threats to health and development. And while the fight against the COVID-19 continues, AMR should continue to be top-of-mind for physicians and public health officials.

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines antimicrobials—including antibiotics, antivirals, antifungals, and antiparasitics—as “medicines used to prevent and treat infections in humans, animals, and plants.”

As a result of drug resistance, antibiotics and other antimicrobials become ineffective and infections become more difficult to treat. AMR can also lead to longer hospital stays, a higher risk of disease spreading, and a greater chance of dying due to infection.

Every year, we celebrate the World Antimicrobial Awareness Week (WAAW) on November 18 to 24. The goal of WAAW is to increase awareness for AMR. It aims to encourage actions among healthcare workers, policymakers, other concerned sectors, and the general public to be AMR Awareness champions to help prevent the further emergence and spread of drug-resistant infections.

In line with the celebration of the Philippine Antimicrobial Awareness Week (PAAW) this year, the DOH Pharmaceutical Division held a contest titled, "Call for AMR Champions" wherestakeholders from hospitals, primary healthcare facilities, and the industry participated.

TMC’s entry showcased the hospital’s best practices in implementing Antimicrobial Stewardship (AMS) and in advocating for AMR awareness. It spotlighted various strategies of the AMS Committee, including prior approval of restricted antimicrobials, prospective audit and direct feedback, point of care interventions, and education for healthcare workers and patients among others. TMC’s entry bested 12 others and emerged as the winner in the Hospital Category.

TMC’s Hospital Infection Control and Epidemiology Center (HICEC) led the Antimicrobial Awareness Week celebration. The highlight of which was the lobby display of various information materials aimed at promoting responsible actions to protect antimicrobials so that they remain effective for people and animals.

“We need to be better stewards of these precious, life-saving drugs if we want to continue using them well into the future,” said Dr. Karl Evans R. Henson, Infectious Diseases Consultant and HICEC Director.

Dr. Henson also said that improper and inappropriate intake of antibiotics or antimicrobials is dangerous and can lead to AMR. He advised the public to use antibiotics only when prescribed by a physician and make sure to take the correct dose, as well as always finish the prescribed treatment regimen, and not to reuse or share leftover antibiotics with others.

Reference: https://www.who.int/news/item/26-08-2021-world-antimicrobial-awareness-week-2021-spread-awareness-stop-resistance