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Civil society organizations across the globe bring diverse voices and perspectives into the conversation and play a key role in raising awareness, changing public perceptions, and advocating for policy change.
Coalitions, communities of practice and movements are strengthened and extended to address antibiotic resistance through narratives and action that contribute to universal health coverage, poverty reduction, food justice and environmental sustainability. Read more why global movements are crucial in addressing antibiotic resistance.
The rapid spread of antibiotic resistance around the world has evoked calls at the highest levels of the United Nations and its member governments to urgently adopt measures to tackle the growing problem. While these and other global and national policy initiatives are highly welcome and much needed, the world cannot afford to solely wait for them to be translated into action and change on the ground.
The top-down approach needs to be complemented with action and mobilization on grass-root level since the emergence and spread of antibiotic resistance is tightly linked to the practices and behaviors of individuals.
The antibiotic resistance issue is complex and the options for action are many. The process can be daunting but ReAct has resources to help.
“Caring about antibiotic resistance is similar to reducing plastic waste or saving water”, says Dr. Windhi Kresnawati. She is a pediatrician and has worked in a remote area (Biak regency) in Papua Island in Indonesia for the past 4 years. During this time she managed to engage various stakeholders to support and participate in a series of activities to raise their awareness on antibiotic resistance. She also volunteers with Concerned and Caring Parents (YOP) in their educational activities.
Peter Yeboah, Chairman and Executive Director, is an optimist. He thinks recent experiences with epidemic outbreaks in Africa demonstrate that global health security lies in strengthening sub-Saharan African health systems. He thinks faith based- and civil society organizations play an important role for action on antibiotic resistance.
Dr Niyada Kiatying-Angsulee, Thailand’s foremost civil society activist on antimicrobial resistance, speaks to ReAct about the growing public awareness issues related to antimicrobial resistance in Thailand.
Awareness raising campaigns can increase knowledge on antibiotics, their appropriate use, side-effects and limitations and thus potentially change behavior.