The Awareness Campaign, which takes place from 24 November to 1 December 2022, is supported by Medochemie Pharmaceuticals and is under the auspices of the Ministry of Health and the Pancyprian Medical Association.
The launch of the Campaign was announced during a Press Conference and as emphasized by the doctors of the Cyprus Pathological Society, antibiotics should be taken sensibly and wisely, in order to be a valuable health ally. The indiscriminate and unnecessary use of antibiotics, they warned, not only does not cure, but in the long term may cause other health problems.
Greece and Cyprus lead the way in antibiotic consumption in the European Union, with the percentage of the population reaching up to 30% per year, while the average in the other member states is around 15%.
As the President of the Cyprus Pathological Society Dr. Andreas Ioannou said, the abuse is due to the misconception that viruses are treated with antibiotics, stressing that a key pillar in the effort to avoid unnecessary prescription of antibiotics is the personal doctor. No antibiotic is a panacea and no antibiotic is a painkiller, Dr Ioannou suggested, since, he said, every infection needs specialised treatment. He noted that vaccination and blood sugar control play an important role in reducing antibiotic consumption, as well as reducing the administration of antibiotics to animals whose meat ends up on our plates, creating new resistant strains in the human body.
Welcoming the event, the Director of Medical and Public Health Services, Dr. Elizabeth Constantinou, said that the Ministry of Health, wishing to address the phenomenon of indiscriminate use of antibiotics, has recently reconstituted the National Coordinating Committee "One Health" with the aim of drawing up a National Action Plan to address antimicrobial resistance. In addition, the Ministry of Health, Dr. Constantinou said, in collaboration with the Health Insurance Agency, have developed an antibiotic prescription programme in primary health care, while the "Design of an Electronic Platform for the Surveillance of Hospital Antibiotic Consumption and Hospital Infections" is expected to be implemented in the near future.
The President of the Pancyprian Medical Association, Dr. Petros Agathangelou, after congratulating Medochemie for its long-standing support in actions aimed at raising public awareness on issues related to health protection, indicated that informing citizens about the dangers of the indiscriminate use of antibiotics is now more urgent than ever. With the overconsumption of antibiotics, said Dr. Agathangelou, antibiotic-resistant bacteria increase, so that when antibiotics are really needed, their activity decreases. At the same time, he urged people to protect themselves with the advice of their doctor, stressing that the rational use of antibiotics is everyone's responsibility.
Antibiotics are one of the greatest scientific discoveries of the 20th century and one of the greatest weapons in the hands of doctors to fight bacterial infections, said Medochemie's Sales Director, Mr. Nikos Christidis. He stressed, however, that avoidance of visiting the doctor, ignorance, semi-literacy, excessive fear, intensive lifestyle, low pain tolerance and carelessness led to their misuse and abuse. For this reason, Christides said, Medochemie, as a responsible partner in the health care sector, will continue to support actions such as the Enlightenment Campaign for the proper use of antibiotics, which aims to highlight best practices for the benefit of citizens' health.
Doctors advise:
- Take antibiotics ONLY with a doctor's prescription
- Complete antibiotic treatment as directed
- Do not take antibiotics left over from other treatments
- Do not share antibiotics with others
- Using antibiotics unnecessarily can cause other health problems
As part of the Enlightenment Campaign, it is shown on all TV channels, awareness spot, while articles and presentations on risk factors from the inappropriate use of antibiotics are being broadcast in the printed and electronic press.
The awareness-raising activities are also strengthened by targeted interventions by GPs - members of the PEC in the media. Δείτε το spot της εκστρατείας εδώ
https:/cyprustimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/BINTEO-FIRST-MESSAGE-ANNUAL-USE.mp4
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