Youth Engagement Critical in Combating Antimicrobial Resistance,Experts Warn
- 365healthdiaries
- Dec 15, 2024
- 3 min read
By Hamu Madzedze
Online Health Editor -Zimbabwe
The growing threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) requires immediate attention, and youth engagement is critical in combating this global health challenge, experts warned.
Experts revealed this during the launch of the World Health Organisation( WHO) Antimicrobial Resistance Youth Engagement Toolkit.
AMR is one of the most pressing global health challenges, affecting humans, animals, and the environment.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), AMR could cause the global economy to lose USD 3.4 trillion annually and push millions into extreme poverty.
"Youth are not just future leaders, they are already today's leaders, innovators, and change-makers, driving multi-sectoral action to protect the health of people, animals, plants, and our shared environment," said Yerkem Sembayeva, Communications Officer at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).
The Quadripartite Working Group on Youth Engagement for AMR emphasizes the importance of empowering young people to take action against AMR.
Communications Consultant at the UN Environment Programme(UNEP) Wenjing Yan said AMR is one of the most pressing global health challenges of our times that affects everyone and is closely linked to the environment.
Mimi Melles-Brewer from the World Health Organization (WHO) AMR Awareness, Campaign and Advocacy Unit emphasised the importance of youth in the fight against AMR.
"Youth are critical change-makers not only as future prescribers of antimicrobials but also they play an important role now, as they influence the behaviour of their peers, parents, and a larger community on the importance of using antimicrobials wisely" said Melles-Brewer.
She added that WHO has developed a toolkit to strengthen youth engagement in AMR-related activities.
"The goal of the toolkit is to strengthen youth engagement in AMR-related activities, including awareness-raising campaigns and advocacy efforts, and also to equip youth with the knowledge and tools needed to take impactful actions in their communities", said Melles-Brewer.
Lucy Fagan, Chairperson of the Commonwealth Youth Health Network (CYHN), emphasized the importance of supporting youth-led initiatives.
"There should be some sustainable, flexible funding for them to implement their programmes," she said.
Randa Bazzi, Member of the One Health Alliance of Jordan and Member of the Quadripartite Working Group on Youth Engagement for AMR, highlighted the importance of education and awareness-raising campaigns.
"The Jeddah Commitments stress the importance of implementing primary, secondary, and tertiary education programs that strengthen the prevention component of AMR response, Bazzi highlighted
Bazzi also pointed out that the focus is also on empowering youth as a change makers in addressing challenges like antimicrobial resistance, climate change ,food security and One Health related issues.
Jessica Mitchell from the University of Edinburgh & Community Engagement for AMR Network (CE4AMR), said young people should not just be the end-users of the information that is created but should also be engaged as researchers of the information.
" They should be engaged as researchers, instead of merely being the targets of research." she pointed out.
Public Health Specialist from Nigeria and Member of the Quadripartite Working Group Nahashon Gicheru pointed out that youths have first-hand, real experiences on issues related to AMR and have a deep reach in society to achieve the whole-of-society approach to efficiently contain AMR.
As the world grapples with the growing threat of AMR, youth engagement has been noted as key in combating this global health challenge.
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