Celebrating the World Antimicrobial Awareness Week (WAAW 2022) in Rwanda

Abstract

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is among the top ten threats facing humanity, and human activities are the major drivers of this process. The quadripartite – the World Health Organization (WHO), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH), and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) organize a World Antimicrobial Awareness Week (WAAW), celebrated from 18-24 November every year. In 2022, the theme was “Preventing Antimicrobial Resistance Together’’. In Rwanda, several activities including (i) Radio talks/ TV shows, (ii) a public lecture at the University of Rwanda, (iii) a scientific workshop and training veterinary paraprofessionals and healthcare providers in Nyanza district, (iv) Car free day in Huye district, and (v) Social media engagement using twibbons were conducted. During the WAAW, messages related to AMR were delivered to a diverse audience. The covered topics included but were not limited to: (i) drivers of AMR, (ii) the consequences associated with AMR, and (iii) the adoption of One Health approach to tackling the AMR threat. Promoting awareness of AMR alone is not enough. Other interventions like increasing diagnostic centers, surveillance of AMR among commonly reported pathogens, enforcing laws to ensure the quality of existing antimicrobials, and empowering research are all needed if we want a bright future for the generations to come.