Tag Archives: UNEP

AMR Soccer Tournament lives to billing

…as Seke High 1 are crowned champions

 

Some of the Seke High 1 students receiving their winners’ medals

BY MUNYARADZI BLESSING DOMA

 

The Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) awareness high schools soccer tournament which was part of the continental celebration of the World Antimicrobial Awareness Week (WAAW) 2023 in Harare, lived to its expectations as many people from different community backgrounds attended.

The tournament which was held at Prince Edward High School on Sunday (November 19), saw several schools battling out for the honours but the glory was to belong to Seke High 1 who were crowned champions.

Seke High 1 defeated Glen Norah 2 High in finals which were decided by the dreaded penalties.

Speaking on the sidelines of the final match, Dr Mohamed Sirdar, Sub Regional Programme Coordinator for Southern Africa at World Health Organisation for Animal Health, said he was happy that the event lived to their expectations.

“The soccer tournament was creating awareness on antimicrobial resistance and its effect on our health systems, either for the humans, animals and environmental plants.

“And we hope that awareness to the high school pupils or students is one of the powerful tools so that we can have the message spread in the community and thats why we chose football for the high schools for this tournament to be able to enhance awareness on AMR in Zimbabwe.”

Dr Sirdar added that having many people from various community backgrounds was the icing on the cake as the message was being delivered to many people.

“Given that we have almost 500 spectators, having people from different community backgrounds and also we are happy one of the football legends Oscar (Machapa) is here with us and having also some of our representatives from all these organisations.

“So I can say we believe that we have exceeded our expectations,” said Dr Sirdar.

And indeed the AMR message was really being emphasized at the tournament as the talented soccer commentator was also spreading the message as he went about his commentary much to the appreciation of the crowd.

And the message was also clearly spread to the students as some of those interviewed by this reporter spoke on the dangers of abusing medication.

“This subject (AMR) was new to me but I’m happy that I have learnt that we should not self medicate, I have also learnt that I should use the right medication for the disease and only after being prescribed by the doctor,” said one student.

Zimbabwe with support from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), in partnership with African Union agencies, Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) and African Union Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources (AU IBAR) is hosting WAAW 2023 with several events lined up.

The commemorations which started on November 18 and will end this Friday, are running under the theme, “Preventing Antimicrobial Resistance Together”, which emphasizes the importance of collective action to address the global health challenge of antimicrobial resistance.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), AMR occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites change over time and no longer respond to medicines making infections harder to treat and increasing the risk of disease spread, severe illness and death.

 

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Minister Masuka to open World AMR Awareness Week commemorations

Minister Anxious Masuka-pic by Tateguru TV

BY MUNYARADZI BLESSING DOMA

 

Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Dr Anxious Masuka will officially launch the World Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Awareness Week (WAAW) which will be held in Harare from today till Friday, at the Harare International Conference Centre.
The week-long event will see the Government getting support from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), in partnership with African Union agencies, Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) and African Union Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources (AU IBAR) to host the continental celebrations.
The commemorations will run under the theme, “Preventing Antimicrobial Resistance Together” which emphasizes the importance of collective action to address the global health challenge of antimicrobial resistance.
During the opening ceremony, the government will also hold a signing ceremony for the Zimbabwe Antimicrobial Resistance National Action Plan (NAP).
“The WAAW week is an annual global event that aims to enhance awareness and understanding of the challenges posed by antimicrobial resistance while promoting best practices in antimicrobial stewardship across public health, animal health, and the environment.
“The quadripartite organizations and the Africa Union Task Force on AMR are working together in a One Health approach to organize this year’s event and translate the theme into action.
“These celebrations will involve the coordination of campaigns at both national and continental levels by engaging diverse stakeholders from around the world.
“The continental event is scheduled to commence on 18 November 2023 and will bring together a wide array of important participants and stakeholder groups.
“These will include high-level policy and decision-makers of Member States, Regional Economic Communities, the One Health Community, development partners, private sector partners, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), civil society organizations, academia, research institutions, research centres and the general public,” read a press release from the organizers.
Other activities during the WAAW will include: media briefings and press conferences, a ‘world café’ debate on AMR and correct use, an engagement with high school students on AMR awareness including a mini football tournament, a high-level panel discussion on AMR’s environmental dimensions, policy dialogues on accelerating progress in African countries in the implementation of AMR National Action Plans, AMR One Health multisectoral collaboration and governance, AMR in aquaculture, and laboratory and field visits, including visiting the BOLAV Vaccine Production Unit, a BOLVAC Theileriosis Vaccination hotspot and a Farmer Field School farm.
“WAAW serves as a platform for collaboration amongst stakeholders in the fight against the emergence and spread of AMR.
“It provides a valuable opportunity to enhance awareness and advocate for AMR risk mitigation efforts across sectors. This event also demonstrates continental unity and positions Africa as the leading region in combatting AMR while reinforcing critical messages to generate more collective policy guidance and support for the advancement of programmes aimed at reducing AMR risks,” added the press release.

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