DOH Boosts Campaign For Public Awareness on Anti-Microbial Resistance

The Department of Health (DOH) has boosted its campaign warning the public on the dangers of using antibiotics not prescribed by physicians.

In text advisories as a public service, the DOH, together with the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) and Globe Telecom, said that buying or using antibiotics prescribed by doctors for other people or specific patients is a big “NO” or should never be done.

The message is sent in Filipino words to make it more understandable to the recipients.

It said: “Ikaw ba ay nanghihiram ng reseta ng iba para makabili ng antibiotics? Ang madalas na pag-inom nito na hindi kinakailangan at walang payo ng doctor ay nagdudulot ng unti-unting panghihina ng bisa ng antibiotics kaya patuloy ang paglala ng sakit na maaari mo pang ikamatay. Kumonsulta bago kumonsumo. (Do you borrow other people’s prescription to buy antibiotics when you are not feeling well? Frequent taking of antibiotics not prescribed by doctors will lead to a situation wherein the antibiotics will later lost its ability to address the patient’s sickness/infections needing antibiotics which can later lead to fatal results such as death.”)

The DOH reminds the public that the best thing to do when someone or a member of the family is not feeling well is to see a doctor and get a direct advice.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has also noted that misuse and abuse of antibiotics can lead to microbial resistance.

It also said that anti-microbial resistance (AMR) threatens the effective prevention and treatment of an ever-increasing range of infections caused by bacteria, parasites, viruses and fungi.

Aside from the text message, the DOH also actively promotes public awareness on the dangers of using antibiotics without doctor’s prescriptions through its Facebook accounts and other videos featuring AMR. (PNA) SCS/LSJ/PJN