Journalists have been urged to increase coverage of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) to raise awareness, shape public narratives, and influence behavioural change across the African continent.
The call was made by the Director General of the East, Central and Southern Africa Health Community (ECSA-HC), Dr Ntuli Kapologwe, during a regional media webinar organised under the Health Emergency Preparedness, Response and Resilience (HEPRR) project.
The project is funded by the World Bank, in collaboration with the Africa CDC, Amref Health Africa, and Distory Communications.
This appeal comes ahead of World Antimicrobial Awareness Week (WAAW), which will be commemorated from 18 to 24 November 2025 under the theme “Act Now: Protect Our Present, Secure Our Future.”
WAAW is a global campaign held annually to improve awareness and understanding of AMR, and to encourage best practices among the public, One Health stakeholders, and policymakers, who all play a crucial role in reducing the emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), AMR occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites evolve over time and no longer respond to medicines, making infections harder to treat and increasing the risk of disease spread, severe illness, and death. As a result, antibiotics and other antimicrobial medicines become ineffective, rendering common infections increasingly difficult, or even impossible, to treat.
“Journalists are an important vehicle for spreading the message so that people can understand what AMR is and what needs to be done for all of us to win the battle against it,” said Dr Kapologwe.
“AMR is not just an abstract or scientific term, it is a lived reality that threatens every aspect of our daily lives, from the food we eat and the animals we depend on, to the medicines that once saved us but no longer do. Once an antibiotic fails, a simple infection can become fatal,” he added.
Dr Kapologwe warned that across Africa, AMR is silently reversing decades of progress in health and development.
“Today, bacterial resistance to medicines is found in our hospitals, farms, and rivers. This crisis respects no borders, which is why a regional and One Health approach connecting people, animals, and the environment is central to our collective response,” he said.
He emphasised that journalists play a vital role as the bridge between scientific evidence and public understanding.
“You have the unique power to translate complex science into compelling human stories that inspire action, expose negligence, and promote accountability. Your storytelling can drive behavioural change, shape policies, and influence political will,” said Dr Kapologwe.
“Every story told can make AMR visible not just as a medical issue, but as a development, food security, and health security issue and also as an economic one.
“Taking this issue seriously is crucial across all sectors of society because we depend on each other. In the fight against AMR, we need partnerships among journalists, scientists, academia, and researchers so that together we can win this battle.”
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