The week beginning November 18th to 24th, 2023 was designated as the World Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness Week by the World Health Organization (WHO) to raise awareness about the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance and the importance of responsible use of antibiotics and other antimicrobial medicines.
The Department of Microbiology at the Central University of Tamil Nadu (CUTN) under the leadership of Prof. M Krishnan, Vice Chancellor of CUTN, marked the week-long awareness with various activities. As part of the awareness program, more than 200 students from various schools in Thiruvarur and Mannargudi visited the Microbiology department. They were provided with an informative tour of the department’s laboratory facilities and were given hands-on experience of utilizing the state-of-the-art facilities available at the University.
The week-long campaign commenced with a presidential address delivered by Prof. E.M Shankar, Dean of the School of Life Sciences. Prof. Shankar highlighted the alarming impact of infectious microorganisms developing resistance to antimicrobial medicines. He emphasized that this resistance not only complicates the treatment of infections but also elevates the risk of disease spread and severe illness.
During the event, Dr. Ravanan, Head of the Department of Microbiology, addressed the audience, shedding light on the factors contributing to antimicrobial resistance. Dr. Ravanan pointed out that self-medication with antibiotics, misuse of drugs, and patients not completing the entire prescribed course of antimicrobials are among the key reasons behind this growing concern. He urged the young students of CUTN Kendriya Vidyalaya to adhere to best practices when using antimicrobial medicines.
In an effort to amplify the reach of the ongoing World Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness Week, students from the Microbiology Department at the Central University of Tamil Nadu (CUTN) organized and executed an energetic flashmob at the Old Bus Stand in Tiruvarur. The flash mob was aimed to captivate the attention of the general public and disseminate crucial information about the dangers of antimicrobial resistance.
The organization of the World Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness Week conference and the flashmob is spearheaded by Dr. Kaushik Rajaram, Assistant Professor in the Department of Microbiology. Dr. Rajaram expressed his commitment to fostering awareness and understanding about the critical issue of antimicrobial resistance within the academic community and beyond.
