©FAO/Karen Minasyan

The World Antibiotic Awareness Week kicks off in Armenia. 

The series of awareness raising events on antimicrobials and their proper use was launched in Yerevan on 15 November 2019, with a lecture at the Armenian National Agrarian University for veterinary students. The event was the official opening of the World Antibiotic Awareness Week (18-24 November) in Armenia that aims to promote careful usage of antimicrobials.

The event was organized under the FAO project on reducing the advance of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in food and agriculture in six recipient countries, Armenia being among them, in partnership with the Food Safety Inspectorate of Armenia.

The FAO project coordinator Zaruhi Beglaryan presented global data on the subject, which alarms the bell. “More than 700 000 human deaths are recorded each year related to antimicrobial resistance; 60 000 tons of antibiotics are used each year in agriculture around the world, and this is not the end of the chain unfortunately,’’ Beglaryan noted. “Effective antimicrobials are essential for human and animal health, sustainable food systems and food security; but overuse of antimicrobials may result in resistance which can threaten lives and livelihoods in many country,’’ added Beglaryan. She also presented FAO’s action plan and efforts to combat this problem.  

The head of the Food Safety Inspectorate, Georgi Avetisyan, continued with an interactive part, engaging the students into discussion through addressing various situational problems, letting students find solutions. It was both interesting and important for future professionals.

FAO and the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Armenia hosted jointly another important event. The over 100 participants were representatives from the Ministries of Health and Economy, Food Safety Inspectorate, and the World Health Organization.  

This event was the first in its kind as a good example of multispectral cooperation on AMR issues in Armenia involving this many partners.

FAO provided relevant information materials on the subject, as well as, held presented its awareness raising effort and enhancing the knowledge of farmers related to the use of antibiotics in agriculture.

The FAO-Armenian Government collaboration on AMR issues has already become a good practice, which speaks about the importance of the problem for the country.