World Antimicrobial Awareness Week is observed each year from 18–24 November to highlight the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance and to promote careful use of antibiotics and other antimicrobial medicines in humans, animals and agriculture. It is coordinated by international health and agriculture agencies to bring together governments, professionals and the public under a shared global campaign.
Why it matters
Antimicrobial resistance makes once-treatable infections harder or sometimes impossible to cure, increasing the risk of severe illness, longer hospital stays and death. Each year, millions of deaths worldwide are associated with drug-resistant infections, and without action common surgeries, cancer treatment and intensive care become much riskier. The week stresses that using antibiotics only when truly needed, and in the right way, can help preserve their effectiveness for future patients.
History
World Antimicrobial Awareness Week has been observed annually since 2015, coordinated by the World Health Organization (WHO) together with partners such as the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH). It grew from earlier antibiotic awareness initiatives into a broader "One Health" campaign that addresses antimicrobial use in humans, animals and the environment. Over time, its themes and messages have shifted from simply raising awareness to promoting concrete actions such as prescription-only antibiotic sales, stewardship programmes and stronger infection prevention.
Key facts
Common conditions
- antibiotic-resistant infections
- hospital-acquired infections
- drug-resistant tuberculosis
- resistant urinary infections
- resistant respiratory infections
- resistant wound infections
Who is most affected
- hospital patients
- people with weak immunity
- older adults
- young children
- people in countries with easy antibiotic access
What you can do
- avoid self-medicating
- never buy antibiotics without prescription
- complete full prescribed course
- follow infection prevention advice
- vaccinate to prevent infections
In Bangladesh
In Bangladesh, over-the-counter sales of antibiotics without a doctor’s prescription remain common in many pharmacies, contributing to rising antimicrobial resistance in the community. Health authorities and professional bodies use this week to promote rational antibiotic use, encourage pharmacists to demand valid prescriptions, and strengthen hospital infection control. Public campaigns stress that people should not pressure doctors or drug sellers for antibiotics, and that simple steps such as hand hygiene, vaccination and safe food and water can reduce the need for these powerful medicines.
Frequently asked questions
- What is antimicrobial resistance?
- It occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi or parasites evolve to resist the medicines designed to kill them, making infections harder or sometimes impossible to treat.
- Why is antibiotic resistance a concern in Bangladesh?
- Widespread over-the-counter antibiotic sales without prescription contribute to rising resistance rates across the country.