Behind the programme
The story and purpose
Introduction
We conducted a health outreach at Wesley Girls Junior Secondary School to raise awareness about antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
The session aimed to help students understand what AMR is, how it develops, and why it poses a serious public health threat.
Recognizing that young students are powerful influencers within their homes, we aimed to demystify how "superbugs" develop. By simplifying complex medical concepts, we prepared them to lead the charge in preserving the efficacy of life-saving medicines.
Our objective
Knowledge Transfer: To define AMR and explain the biological process of how bacteria evolve to resist standard treatments.
Advocacy for Stewardship: To discourage self-medication and the misuse of antibiotics within families and local communities.
Prevention Strategies: To emphasize the link between personal hygiene, vaccinations, and reducing the need for antimicrobial drugs.
Community Leadership: To equip students with the tools to educate friends and relatives on completing prescribed dosages.
The impact
The students at Wesley Girls showed remarkable curiosity, asking insightful questions about common household habits like sharing leftover prescriptions. We observed a significant shift in perspective as they realized that improper drug use affects everyone, not just the individual.
The session was both vibrant and sobering. By the end, the students pledged to be "AMR Guardians." This experience highlighted the necessity of school-based interventions in building a resilient community that respects the power and limits of modern medicine.
Moments from the field