PREVENT IT organized at KIIT
The 1st dissemination event of the project – ‘Risk Management and Prevention of Antibiotic Resistance – PREVENT IT’ was organized by the KIIT School of Public Health on 2nd January, 2020 at seminar hall-1, convention centre, Campus – 6 of the University. The theme of the event was: Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Menace: Role of Academia.
The inaugural function was graced by Prof. Hrushikesha Mohanty, Vice-Chancellor, KIIT Deemed to be University (DU), Maj. Gen. Prof. (Dr.) P. K. Patnaik, Principal KIMS and Director KIIT School of Medicine, Dr Sushil Kumar Kar, Director, Nursing, Odisha, Department of Health and Family Welfare, Govt. of Odisha and Shri Himanshu Sekhar Pradhan, Associate Professor &In-charge, Academic Affairs, School of Public Health. Along with the students, the event was attended by the directors, principals, deans and faculty members of different Departments/Schools of the University.
At the outset, Shri Himanshu Sekhar Pradhan welcomed the dignitaries and guests and introduced the audience about the project. It is a three year project, co-funded by Erasmus+ programme of European Union having partners comprising of 5 Indian Universities, 4 European Universities and 2 Non-Governmental Organizations from India. The vision of the project is a future where every individual is aware of antibiotic resistance (ABR) and empowered with right education to address the issue of ABR. The project aims at promoting qualitative teaching activities in academia as well as in the society on ABR.
Major General Prof. (Dr.) P. K. Patnaik, laid focus on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), which is a global concern. Various factors such as irrational use of antibiotics, easy access to antibiotics over the counter and non-compliance to policies and guidelines etc. are responsible for AMR. Prof. Patnaik stressed that there is a need to enhance the awareness among stakeholders including the students on the issue and initiate action to address this menace.
Prof. Hrushikesha Mohanty, mentioned that antibiotic resistance is a public health concern and collaborative approach involving various disciplines like medical science, public health, social sciences, law etc. are required to address this issue. He also highlighted the role of academia specifically at the university level is pivotal in this direction. Prof. Mohanty congratulated School of Public Health for taking up this project.
Dr. Sushil Kar highlighted that there is an increasing trend of Antibiotic resistance across the world. Due to ABR, day by day it is becoming difficult to treat the diseases and high treatment cost is incurred by the patients. Indiscriminate use of antibiotics, non- adherence to guidelines and protocols are aggravating the issues.
He also mentioned that irrational way antibiotics are being used in animal and agriculture sectors. Dr. Kar stressed that rational use of antibiotics, cleanliness, hygienic practices, proper biomedical waste management at health facility level are important steps in addressing the issue. He stressed that multi-sectoral actions are need of the hour in this regard.
Inaugural session was followed by the technical session, where four presentations were made by the experts. Prof. (Dr.) Ashok Kumar Praharaj, Professor, Department of Microbiology, KIMS presented on Antibiotic Resistance: Current Scenario and Challenges. Shri Himanshu Sekhar Pradhan spoke on Risk Management and Prevention of Antibiotic Resistance – PREVENT IT : About the Project. Dr. Sarita Jena, Scientists E, Institute of Life Science, Bhubaneswar talked on the topic Antimicrobial Resistance in Animal Health – Way to Prevent it.
Prof. (Dr.) Sudhir Kumar Satpathy, Senior Expert- Public Health and former Director, KIIT School of Public Health presented on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Action Plan: Role of Academia. Speakers were felicitated following the technical session. Vote of thanks was extended by Dr. Manas Ranjan Behera, Associate Professor, KIIT School of Public Health.