Faculty of Medicine UIN Jakarta Advocates for Responsible Antibiotic Use in AMR Awareness Week

Faculty of Medicine, UIN News Online – The Faculty of Medicine at UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta joined the global fight against antimicrobial resistance (AMR) by organizing a seminar to commemorate World Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness Week 2024. Held on Friday (22/11/2024), the event highlighted the theme “Antibiotics: Friend or Foe”, aiming to educate the public on the critical issue of antibiotic misuse and resistance.

Data from the Ministry of Health reveals a stark reality: global deaths linked to AMR have soared from 700,000 in 2014 to 1.29 million in 2019. By 2050, this figure is expected to rise to a staggering 10 million annually. These statistics underscore the urgency of addressing AMR as a global health crisis.

Dr. dr. Erike A. Suwarsono, M.Pd., Sp.M.K., a physician and lecturer at UIN Jakarta, explained the dual nature of antibiotics during the seminar. “When used correctly—for bacterial infections with proper dosage, duration, and type—antibiotics can be our friends. But misuse turns them into adversaries,” she cautioned.

Dr. Erike highlighted the dangers of using antibiotics for non-bacterial illnesses, overusing them, or failing to follow prescribed guidelines. She also pointed out how AMR spreads easily, including through physical contact and within agricultural, livestock, and fishery industries.

The event featured another expert speaker, Dr. Nelly Puspandari, Sp.M.K., a member of the Indonesian Society of Clinical Microbiology Specialists, who presented “Towards a Healthier Future: Why We Must Stop Overrelying on Antibiotics.” Dr. Nelly elaborated on how resistance develops when bacteria become immune to the drugs designed to kill them, often leaving patients to seek alternative, more expensive treatments.

“Preventing AMR is not just about preserving antibiotic effectiveness; it’s about safeguarding the future of public health,” Dr. Nelly emphasized.

The seminar also shed light on WHO’s ongoing campaign to curb AMR and encouraged action from healthcare professionals, policymakers, and the general public. Integrated efforts, such as promoting appropriate antibiotic use, can significantly reduce the impact of AMR and protect global health systems from collapse.

UIN Jakarta’s active participation in addressing AMR highlights its commitment to advancing public health awareness. Through events like this, the university contributes to global efforts to prevent AMR from escalating into a larger pandemic threat.

For a full recording of the seminar, visit: YouTube Live Recording.

(Aida Adha Siregar/Fauziah M./Syarifah Nur Kholidah)