A group of researchers focused on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) from the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (FPSK), Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), recently held the “Mengenali AMR” program at Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Pekan and SK Piasau in Kota Belud.

According to Dr. Zulkhairul Naim Sidek Ahmad, Head of the Department of Medical Education at FPSK and Project Leader for AMR, the program aims to raise awareness about AMR among primary school students.

“This program is a continuation of activities conducted late last year, where 20 students from SK Pekan and SK Piasau were trained to become peer mentors to spread awareness about AMR.

“Medical research worldwide has shown that the primary cause of AMR is the improper use of antibiotics.

“Therefore, campaigns about AMR need to start as early as possible, so that society, especially the younger generation, becomes more aware and knowledgeable about AMR,” he explained.

Meanwhile, Nurhanah Idek, the Deputy Education Officer of the Kota Belud District, who officiated the program’s closing, expressed that the timing of the program was crucial.

“AMR is an increasingly alarming global health threat.

“Therefore, programs like this are highly beneficial to students and align with the national health agenda,” she said.

The two-day program saw the participation of 220 students from grades four to six from SK Pekan and SK Piasau.

For the record, AMR occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites being treated no longer respond to the medication used, causing infections to become more difficult to treat. This results in the need for stronger and more expensive antimicrobial drugs to cure the infection.