WORLD ANTIMICROBIAL AWARENESS WEEK held on
18-24TH NOVEMBER at Subharti Medical College

Postgraduate Department of Microbiology, Subharti Medical College, Meerut organized a CME on 23rd November 2021 to commemorate the “World Antimicrobial Awareness Week” (WAAW-2021) from (18th -24th Nov).The main aim behind this CME was to apprise the clinicians and medical students about the growing problems of antibiotic resistance and sensitize them for the judicious use of antibiotics.
As Department of Microbiology is recognized as WHO antimicrobial resistance (AMR)surveillance site. This CME was conducted under the aegis of WINSAR-DNCR (WHO-Indian Association of Medical Microbiologist Delhi NCR chapter).

The event was a huge success and attended by 104 participants.

The gathering commenced with a welcome note by DrPriyankaChaturvedi,Post PG tutor, Department of Microbiology.

Addressing the dignified gathering,Professor and Head Departmentof Microbiology and Secretary, Hospital Infection Control Committee, Dr. Anita Pandeyintroduced the theme of World Antimicrobial Awareness Week 2021to the audience. The theme was “Spread awareness, stop resistance.”

It was followed by the Principal and Dean, Dr Y P Monga, addressing the gathering. He appreciated the effort of Head of Microbiology Department to take initiative to conduct such useful CME. He extended his best wishes and his blessings to whole department for the organization of CME. He encouraged the participants to become part of movement to beat Antimicrobial resistance.

Keeping in consideration the young clinicians and students present in the gathering to make them aware, Dr Anita Pandey,Professor and Head, Department of Microbiology presented her interactive session on “Bench to Bed Side of Antibiotics”. She highlighted in her talk about the limited availability of new antimicrobial drug for the future. She pointed out the antimicrobial strategies aimed to prevent emergence of resistance in healthcare setting. She also explained the terms like MRSA, ESBL, Carbapenamase producer, Synergistic and Nonsynergistic which is mentioned in the report released from the department. She talked about restricted antibiotics for different groups of bacteria and also discussed the intrinsic resistance in various bacteria. She also highlighted about the drug of choice for various situation.The importance of filling up of the justification forms at every level was explained by her. She explained about the campaign “Go Blue for Antimicrobial Resistance”. This campaign is an initiative by World Health Organization to wear light blue, adjust social media profile to blue and to light up local landmarks, health infrastructure in blue on 24th November.  She also requested everyone to join the campaign.

Following this there was a presentation on “Rational use of Antibiotics” by young eminent guest speaker, Dr.KrishnaMurty,Associate Professor, Department of Surgery and Deputy Medical Superintendent, CSSH. His main focus was to encourage best practices among the residents to avoid further emergence and spread of drug resistant infections. He presented various case scenario to explain the judicious, careful and rational use of antimicrobials. He further pointed out that most clinicians are aware of the problem of antimicrobial resistance, but they underestimate it’s importance.

It was followed by a presentation “Antibiotic : A Clinician Perspective”. It was presented by DrSaurabhSinghal, Professor and Head Department of Medicine, SMC. He explained about principles and practical applications of antibiotic usage. He emphasized on the rational usage of antimicrobial agents and antibiotic stewardship.Multi drug resistant organisms,superbugs intrinsic resistance in various organisms and mechanism of drug resistance was also discussed by him.

Following this there was a presentation on “Importance of culture& MIC testing” by Dr Deepali Saini, Assistant Professor, Department of Microbiology.The presentation drew attention towards the importance of the culture sensitivity report before prescribing antimicrobials and ideal samples for culture. She also highlighted the new reporting format which will mention the MIC. She explained the term MIC and its interpretation. She also elaborated the difference between conventional and automated VITEK system.

Last but not the least, there was a presentation by MrMayank “About VITEK”. He explained about his company Biomerieux. According to him, the VITEK 2 is the most automated platform available and gives rapid and accurate MIC based results with user friendly instrument.He also highlighted the different diagnostic equipment available from his company.

The CME was concluded by vote of thanks by DrPeetam Singh, Post PG Tutor, Department of Microbiology. He on the behalf of Microbiology Department conveyed the gratitude to the speakers for sparing their valuable time, Participants for attending the CME and the sponsor team Biomerieux for all the technical help.

There was overwhelming response from the audience. In the end, there was distribution of refreshment packets to the audience.

An international colour campaign has also been launched this year by the World Health Organization to help spread awareness about antimicrobial resistance. The new Go Blue for AMR campaign, calls upon individuals, organization and communities to mark the week by going blue. This can involve illuminating prominent building/landmarks/monuments in light blue or wearing blue or adjusting social media profiles to blue or by sharing on social media why you are going blue. The World health organization is encouraging everyone to “Go Blue for AMR” campaign particularly on 24th November. In continuation with the AMR awareness campain “Go BLUE for AMR” the whole Department and the clinical departments were asked to dress in blue on 24th of November  to raise awareness againt the rising Antibiotic resistance and to fight against AMR.
The Go Blue campain started by WHO and Initiated by Department of Microbiology, was a huge success in our Hospital with almost all faculty, SRs and JRs dressed in Blue.This campaign was very successful in our hospital and it was all due to support of faculty, residents and staffs who wholeheartedly participated in the event. Their active participation showed their standing in solidarity to stop antimicrobial resistance.