Antibiotic resistance is rising to dangerously levels in all parts of the world. New resistance mechanisms are emerging and spreading globally, threatening our ability to treat common infectious diseases. A project commissioned by the British government has released estimates of the near-future global toll of antibiotic resistance: 10 million deaths per year, more than cancer, and at least 124 trillion euros in sacrificed gross national product. Without urgent prevention and risk management actions, we are heading for a post-antibiotic era, in which common infections and minor injuries would kill. Following WHO Global Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance and the UN Heads of State political declaration on antimicrobial resistance, Indian and European policy makers has designed framework national plans fighting antibiotics resistance. PREVENT IT consortium has conducted a preliminary study that has highlight an alarming deficiency of academic modules on antibiotics prevention and risk management, and a total absence of awareness in the Indian society. As response, PREVENT IT plans to I) permanently introduce interdisciplinary curricula on antibiotics resistance - prevention and risk management – in per-existent studies programs – differentiating students’ target audience; II) Disseminate as open educational resource, a MOOC for students, health sciences experts, and civil society organizations working with health in rural communities; II) Conduct nine regional dissemination events; III) Involve new stakeholders with the organization - in different area of India - of sixteen workshops and one symposium; IV) Create social media campaign to increase awareness in Indian society; V) To ensure sustainability, Lab for regular training in projects’ proposals design. VI) During the last month of the funded period, to provide new impetus: establish the European-Indian Network for Antibiotics Resistance Prevention and Risk Management.
Reflecting a need analysis conducted before the proposal submission, PREVENT IT aimed to (i) create experimental interdisciplinary curricula enhancing the knowledge of ABR prevention and risk capacities of the targeted Indian higher education students, in collaboration with European organisations; (ii) promote awareness in the Indian academia and society, disseminating information on the AMR causes, sharing best practices for the prevention and risk management of ABR.
According to a recent study published in the Lancet , antimicrobial and antibiotics resistance (AMR/ABR) represents the third cause of death globally. Despite the severe impact of resistant pathogens on human health, AMR/ABR is marginally covered in the Indian higher education curricula of the study programs directly and indirectly related to health. Moreover, a lack of awareness and knowledge is observed in Indian society regarding the existence, and the consequences, of AMR/ABR.
<< Background >> According to a recent study published in the Lancet , antimicrobial and antibiotics resistance (AMR/ABR) represents the third cause of death globally. Despite the severe impact of resistant pathogens on human health, AMR/ABR is marginally covered in the Indian higher education curricula of the study programs directly and indirectly related to health. Moreover, a lack of awareness and knowledge is observed in Indian society regarding the existence, and the consequences, of AMR/ABR. << Objectives >> Reflecting a need analysis conducted before the proposal submission, PREVENT IT aimed to (i) create experimental interdisciplinary curricula enhancing the knowledge of ABR prevention and risk capacities of the targeted Indian higher education students, in collaboration with European organisations; (ii) promote awareness in the Indian academia and society, disseminating information on the AMR causes, sharing best practices for the prevention and risk management of ABR. << Implementation >> An interdisciplinary team of professionals from 11 partners, including 4 European universities, 5 Indian higher education institutions, and 2 non-governmental organizations, has collaborated for the project implementation and sustainability. The experimental teaching activities targeted both academic and societal actors. PREVENT IT has produced permanent changes in the curricula of the outreached Indian universities, increased knowledge and created awareness in Indian academia and society. << Results >> In the framework of the PREVENT IT project: (i) launch of 46 new/renewed courses involving almost 3000 learners; (ii) organization training programs empowering 768 Indian and European students/staff; (iii) delivery of 46 informative-scientific public events; (iv) release of an awareness campaign outreaching more than 6.3 million citizens; (v) delivery of 4 MOOC; (vi) 54 project-related publications; (vii) establishment of the Indo-European One Health Association for sustainability beyond its end