“Antimicrobial Resistance is a silent pandemic that is spreading faster than we anticipated but education is key to ensuring that everyone understands the risk, and takes steps to protect themselves and others” – Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director General of the World Health Organization
According to the United Nations Environment Programme, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a top global health threat, with a death toll that could catch up to death rates from cancer (10 million deaths yearly) by 2050, if unchecked. It is closely linked to poverty, lack of sanitation, poor hygiene and pollution and could push 24 million more people into extreme poverty in the next decade.
The quote above by the DG of WHO shows that though AMR is spreading faster than we expected, it can be counter-attacked by educating people.
In line with the WHO’s charge to all countries of the world to develop and implement national action plans for curbing AMR, we are supporting Nigeria’s National Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance through our AMR School Program where we train and develop school students from low-resource settings to learn more about AMR and how to prevent it.
Recently, we scaled this work to reach students in 30 schools in two states in Nigeria – Lagos and Osun – by establishing Health and Hygiene Clubs in their schools. Our focus is to equip them to drive the adoption of healthy and hygienic practices in their homes and communities.
These students shared with us what they learned about AMR through our Clubs and how they are putting lessons learned to use in their communities.
Here is what they have to say about what antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is:
- ‘When we take drugs incorrectly and they don’t work, the germs develop into a super germ and the body becomes resistant to the drugs when the diseases come’ – Ambassador, Stadium Senior High School, Surulere, Lagos
- ‘A situation whereby when you take antimicrobials when you don’t need them and later when you need them, they stop working is called antimicrobial resistance’ – Ambassador, Iganmu Senior High School, Lagos
- ‘Antimicrobial resistance gives germs more power and they become supergerms’ – Ambassador, Our Lady’s Girls High School, Modakeke, Osun
Here’s what they have to say about how to stop AMR:
- ‘Antimicrobial resistance can be stopped when you finish your dose even when you feel better after falling ill’ – Ambassador, Ajumoni Senior High School, Iyana-Isolo, Lagos
- ‘It is better to consult the doctor whenever you are not feeling fine instead of using antibiotics’ – Ambassador, Ile-Ife, Osun
- ‘Do not use antibiotics for infections like flu’ – Ambassador, Iganmu Senior High School, Amuwo-Odofin. Lagos
- ‘Do not buy drugs from street vendors’ – Ambassador, Apapa Senior High School, Apapa, Lagos
And here’s how they are spreading the good news and educating others on how to stay healthy and safe:
- “There has been improvement. I have been able to teach my family about important health and hygiene practices. I was able to prevent one of my brothers from taking antibiotics for malaria, telling him that antibiotics are only to be used for diseases caused by bacteria and also no longer use drugs except with doctor’s prescription.”
- “Yes, before my mum likes self-medication and does not like us completing our drugs dosage, but ever since I told her about supergerms and AMR, she now visits the doctor and has now made it compulsory for us to complete our dosage of drugs.”
- “Yes, in my house we now have a hand washing basin in which before and after eating and after using the toilet, we must wash our hands.”
Antimicrobial resistance is a serious global threat and these testimonials from our students demonstrate that knowledge is power and when it comes to antimicrobial resistance, this power can save a lot of lives and truly make a difference.
