The director of the Local Unit of the Infection Prevention and Control and Antimicrobial Resistance Program (UL-PPCIRA) of the Regional Health Service (SESARAM) guarantees that, in Madeira, the use of antibiotics is lower than on the mainland, yet recognizes that there is work to be done to raise awareness of the appropriate use of these drugs. Educating, defending, and acting now are watchwords for Filipa Vicente, who highlights the need for concerted action between the different social actors, from health to agriculture, to combat antibiotic-resistant microorganisms.
The pathologist was speaking as part of the meeting that took place at the Dr. Nélio Mendonça Hospital, to mark the European Antibiotic Day, stressing that this lower use contributes to less resistance to antimicrobials in the Region.
European Antibiotic Day is marked by a week of initiatives worldwide, aiming to “raise awareness among the population, as well as health professionals, including doctors, veterinarians, and farmers, of the indiscriminate use of antibiotics,” stressing that the abusive use of these drugs will lead to an overload making it easier for pathogens to become resistant to them.”
The pathologist notes that an aging population requires greater use of antibiotics, yet such use cannot be done in an abusive way.
Filipa Vicente also recognizes the increase in multidrug-resistant bacteria in Madeira, an aspect that was evidenced by the screening of a specific population with risk factors, following the recommendations of the Directorate-General for Health.
Samantha Gannon
info at madeira-weekly.com
