The World Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness Week (WAAW) 2025 will be observed from November 18 to 24, with Sri Lanka joining the global initiative to raise awareness about antimicrobial resistance (AMR), a growing threat to public health worldwide.
The national ceremony for WAAW 2025 is scheduled to be held today (14) in Colombo under the patronage of Minister of Health and Mass Media, Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, according to the Ministry of Health and Mass Media.
Organised by the National Focal Point for Antimicrobial Resistance Prevention, this year’s commemoration will take place under the theme: “Act Now: Protect Our Present, Secure Our Future.”
The week-long global campaign focuses on educating the public, healthcare professionals, and policymakers about the dangers of overusing and misusing antibiotics, and the urgent need for coordinated action to prevent the rise of drug-resistant infections.
Sri Lanka’s national programme will include awareness workshops, public outreach events, discussions with medical professionals, and campaigns aimed at promoting responsible use of antibiotics.
Health officials emphasise that antimicrobial resistance poses a significant threat to treatment effectiveness, making common infections harder to cure and increasing the risk of severe illness, complications, and death.
The Ministry calls on all citizens to support the initiative and take steps to use antibiotics responsibly, highlighting that collective action today is crucial to safeguarding the health of future generations.
