WORLD Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness Week, marked annually from Nov 18 to 24, is an initiative led by the World Health Organisation to raise global awareness about antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and encourage best practices to curb its spread.
AMR occurs when microorganisms evolve to resist the effects of medications designed to kill them, such as antibiotics, antivirals, antifungals and antiparasitics. This phenomenon poses a significant global health threat, as it can lead to longer hospital stays, increased medical costs and a higher mortality rate.