(Photo: AFP/ VNA)

The campaign held by the Ministry of Public Health, and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, in coordination with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), calls for efforts to help end antibiotic abuse in hospitals, farms and private homes.

According to the WHO, World Antimicrobial Awareness Week (WAAW) takes place annually on November 18 – 24 to raise public awareness on antimicrobial resistance and encourage best practices in the community, and among healthcare workers and policy makers in order to prevent the emergence and spread of drug-resistant infections.

Dr. Kidong Park, WHO Representative in Vietnam, said antibiotic resistance is a fundamental threat to human health and one of the top 10 public health threats facing humanity. Issues related to antibiotic resistance must be addressed urgently, through the 'One Health' approach, involving strong and long-term commitments from governments and other stakeholders, he said.