An AMR Awareness Week Pre-Campaign Article

Have you ever had a headache, fever, catarrh or sore throat and immediately thought, “I need antibiotics”? Or perhaps you have visited a pharmacy to get antibiotics because they worked for you the last time you had a similar illness.

It is a familiar experience for many people. Sometimes, we even keep leftover antibiotics at home, ready to use whenever we feel sick again. But have we ever stopped to think about the consequences of these seemingly harmless habits?

This is where antimicrobial resistance (AMR) comes in. AMR occurs when microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites develop the ability to resist medicines designed to treat the infections they cause. As a result, infections that were once easily treated may become more difficult, expensive and sometimes impossible to manage.

The frightening part is that AMR is not just a problem for the future. It is already affecting healthcare today.

It Is More Than Just Taking Antibiotics

One common misconception is that AMR is only caused by people taking antibiotics without prescriptions. While inappropriate antibiotic use is a major contributor, the problem is much broader.

Antimicrobial resistance is influenced by how medicines are used in humans and animals, how infections are prevented, and how waste is managed in our environment.

Think about the poultry farm where antibiotics may be used improperly, the hospital where infection prevention practices are neglected, or the community where leftover medicines are disposed of carelessly. These seemingly separate situations can be connected.

This is why the 2026 World AMR Awareness Week theme, “One Health, one action: Prevent AMR now,” is particularly important.

One Health reminds us that human health, animal health and environmental health are closely connected. A problem affecting one can eventually affect the others.

Where Do Medical Laboratory Scientists Come In?

As Medical Laboratory Science students and professionals, we have an important role to play in the fight against AMR.

When a patient presents with an infection, identifying the causative organism and determining which antimicrobial agents are likely to be effective can help guide treatment.

This is where medical microbiology laboratories become essential.

Through appropriate culture and antimicrobial susceptibility testing, Medical Laboratory Scientists can provide valuable information that helps clinicians make informed treatment decisions.

Beyond testing, MLS professionals contribute to AMR surveillance, quality control, infection prevention and the generation of reliable laboratory data.

But our responsibility does not end at the laboratory bench. We also have a role in educating patients, correcting misconceptions and promoting responsible antimicrobial use.

After all, a laboratory result is not just a report. It can be an important part of a patient's treatment journey.

Small Actions, Significant Impact

The fight against AMR does not require everyone to become a medical microbiologist. It requires everyone to take responsibility.

As individuals, we can avoid self-medication, use antibiotics only when appropriately prescribed, follow treatment instructions and avoid sharing leftover medicines.

We can also practise good hand hygiene, maintain proper food hygiene, stay up to date with recommended vaccinations and seek appropriate healthcare when ill.

Healthcare professionals can promote responsible antimicrobial use, support accurate diagnosis and strengthen infection prevention practices.

Farmers and animal health professionals can ensure that antimicrobials are used responsibly in animals, while communities and environmental professionals can help reduce the spread of resistant microorganisms through proper waste management.

Every action matters, no matter how small it may seem.

One Health. One Action. Starting With Us.

As we approach World AMR Awareness Week, let us remember that antimicrobial resistance is not solely the responsibility of doctors, pharmacists, Medical Laboratory Scientists or policymakers.

It is a shared responsibility.

The antibiotics we depend on today may not remain effective tomorrow if we fail to use them wisely. Protecting these medicines is not just about preserving treatment options; it is about protecting lives, livelihoods and the future of healthcare.

So, before you take that antibiotic without proper medical advice, before you recommend a medicine to someone based on your previous experience, or before you ignore the importance of infection prevention, take a moment to think.

What is your one action towards preventing AMR?

As students, professionals and members of our communities, let us move beyond awareness and embrace responsibility.

One Health. One Action. Prevent AMR Now.