Spreading Awareness on Antimicrobial Resistance
In collaboration with Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR), Newcastle University Medicine Malaysia (NUMed) co-hosted a webinar titled "Preventing Antimicrobial Resistance Together" during the World Antimicrobial Awareness Week 2023.
6 December 2023
In conjunction with the World Antimicrobial Awareness Week 2023, Newcastle University Medicine Malaysia (NUMed) co-hosted a webinar titled “Preventing Antimicrobial Resistance Together” with Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR). The event involved the Dr Wu Lien-Teh Centre of Research in Communicable Diseases (Dr Wu Lien-Teh CRCD), M. Kandiah Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (MK-FMHS) at UTAR and the Continuous Professional Development (CPD) committee at NUMed.
Chaired by Clinical Assistant Professor Dr Divyangana Kiran Vartak from UTAR with Associate Professor Dr Kye Mon Min Swe from NUMed as the collaborator, the event was held via Zoom on 24 November 2023.
“World Antimicrobial Awareness is a global campaign to raise awareness and understanding of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and promote best practices to reduce the emergence and spread of drug-resistant infections. As such, our organising team decided it was most appropriate to hold a webinar with eminent speakers sharing their expertise and knowledge and enlightening us on how to overcome and combat this,” shared Dr Divyangana.
Dr Kye added, “AMR poses a critical global threat and is a crucial topic for discussion. Promoting awareness about the responsible use of antibiotics to the communities and implementing stewardship programmes are essential measures to mitigate resistance development, safeguarding their efficacy and addressing a significant public health concern.”
Attended by over 200 participants, the webinar featured Dr Hidayatul Radziah Binti Ismawi, Assistant Professor of International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), sharing about “Antimicrobial Resistance: A Call to Action for Health Care Professionals and Public” and Dr Edmund L C Ong, Honorary Professor of Medicine at NUMed and Consultant Physician at Hospital Sultanah Aminah, Johor, who talked about “Demystifying Antimicrobial Resistance with Antibiotic Stewardship”.
During her talk, Dr Hidayah stressed the mechanism of antibiotic resistance and ways to encourage healthcare facilities and professionals to implement antibiotic stewardship programmes to ensure the appropriate use of antibiotics. On the other hand, Dr Ong delved into the historical development of antibiotics, the emergence of antibiotic resistance, and global and local strategies in the UK and Malaysia for controlling AMR, sparking an insightful discussion on antibiotic stewardship. An animated and productive Question and Answer session further livened things up.
Overall, the webinar was well-received by the participants, who appreciated the informative sharing and engaging discourses. This annual event is instrumental in serving as a platform for sharing knowledge and fostering awareness of AMR, and we look forward to another successful event next year!
