SRINAGAR, NOV 25 – World Antimicrobial resistance Awareness Week (WAAW) 2024 that started from 18 – 24th Nov 2024 concluded today.This year the theme of the event was “Educate, Advocate, Act Now” emphasising to act together to stop this menace of ever increasing Antimicrobial resistance. During a week-long program a myriad of activities were organized including poster competition, quiz program and community outreach programs.
Director SKIMS/ EOSG Prof. M. Ashraf Ganie said such events hold significance aimed to create awareness among general masses for various patient care practices. Antimicrobial resistance is a growing problem particularly in our region where patients take lot of antibiotics and thus awareness becomes very critical and SKIIMS is taking lot of steps in this direction.
The programme started with “Poster Competition” on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) for nursing, and technology students, conducted by the Clinical Pharmacology department. There were 30 participants from our Nursing and Paramedical college and their presentations were judged by the senior faculty of SKIMS. Ms Mehwish Iqbal, and Ms Shaista Anjum both MSc Nursing students stood first and second respectively. The third spot was shared by Ms Bisma Ahad and Ms Priya Prakash.
The program followed a quiz competition by the department General Medicine. Team from Microbiology (Dr Uksim Qadri and Dr Susheem R) emerged victorious. Team Plastic surgery (Dr Eidan Bilal and Dr Fiza Bano) were 1st runners up and team Obstretics and Gynaecology (Dr Azmat Jahan and Dr Bisma Niyaz) were the 2nd runners up.
Community outreach Programme for raising awareness on AMR and rational use of antibiotics was conducted at CHC Sumbal by the department of Community Medicine. Lectures were delivered by the faculty and interactive sessions were conducted with the paramedical staff, Asha workers, Attendants and the local chemists and the need for the rational use of antibiotics as a strategy to fight against AMR was stressed upon by the speakers. AMR/AMSP awareness for nurses and technical staff working at SKIMS was conducted on 22nd Nov by the Hospital infection control team
The event was concluded with a “Special Grand Round” on Antimicrobial Resistance and Antimicrobial Stewardship. The session was chaired by Prof Ashraf Ganie the Honourable Director SKIMS & EOSG, Prof Shariq R. Masoodi, dean Academics and Prof. Farooq A Jan, Medical Superintendent.
Dr Shagufta Roohi, Assistant Professor Microbiology delivered the first lecture of the day on the AMR surveillance data at SKIMS. She discussed in detail the various aspects and findings of the hospital antibiogram
Second speaker, Dr. Uksim Qadri SR Microbiology delivered the second lecture of the day on the measures taken by the Hospital Infection Control Team to counter this menace of AMR
The third and final talk of the day was delivered by Dr Syed Mudasir Qadri Additional Professor, Department of Internal & Pulmonary Medicine on future measures to be taken in the form of Antimicrobial stewardship (AMSP). He through his presentation laid stress on the rational use of antibiotics and avoid their use in conditions like common cold and flu which is quite rampant these days.
This was followed by the felicitation of the winners of Quiz and Poster Competition and mementoes to the speakers and volunteers of the programme. The programme was organised by the department of General Medicine, Dr Sonaullah Shah, Professor and Head General Medicine was the organizing Chairman and Dr Syed Mudasir Qadri, Additional Professor Department of General Medicine was the Organizing Secretary of the whole week-long WAAW programme.
