A meeting aiming to raise awareness of the responsible use of antibiotics was held by the health ministry at the on November 13. (Photo: VNA)Hanoi (VNA) – A meeting
entitled “Antibiotics: Responsible use” was held at the Hanoi Medical University
on November 13 to raise awareness of the issue amongst future doctors and
nurses.
The activity was part of the United
Nations’ starting November 12 with the theme
“,” especially regarding infections in livestock,
aquaculture and agriculture production.
A large number of policymakers,
medical experts, lecturers and students and representatives of international
organisations attended the event.
Speaking at the meeting, Deputy Minister
of Health Nguyen Viet Tien said that due to the rampant usage of antibiotics in
both humans and animals, antibiotic resistance has become “one of the biggest
challenges” to the global population and development.
Antibiotic resistance has undermined
several advancements made in medicines and treatment, Tien said, adding that
organ transplantation, surgeries and chemotherapy would pose even more risks to
patients without effective antibiotics to prevent and treat infections.
According to the deputy minister,
collective efforts are needed or humanity would revert to the dark days of
“pre-antibiotic era.”
The health ministry asked that
people only use antibiotics when prescribed by licensed doctors and physicians,
follow doctors’ guidelines and never share their antibiotics with other people.
Pharmacies have been asked not to
sell antibiotics without prescriptions, to provide quality antibiotics and to
deliver adequate instructions for users on the right way to take the
medicines.-VNA
Source: VietnamPlus
