Lucknow: Doctors at Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Institute of Medical Sciences (RMLIMS) on Tuesday raised awareness about the rising threat of antibiotic resistance as part of World Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness Week (WAAW). The global campaign led by the World Health Organization aims to highlight the dangers of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and curb the spread of drug-resistant pathogens.
Observed annually from November 18 to 24, WAAW brings together healthcare stakeholders to promote responsible use of antimicrobial medicines. This year’s theme—“Act Now: Protect Our Present, Safeguard Our Future”—emphasises the urgency of coordinated action.
As part of the week-long initiatives, Assistant Professors Dr. Shiva Verma and Dr. Akanksha Gupta from the Department of Microbiology organised an inter-departmental quiz on antibiotics for postgraduate residents on November 20. The quiz comprised a preliminary round in which 15 teams from various departments participated. Four teams—from Pharmacology, Microbiology, Biochemistry, and General Medicine—qualified for the final round.
The main quiz featured six rounds covering multiple aspects of hospital infection control. A special highlight was the “Bollywood Round,” where participants identified diseases based on popular film songs. The team of Dr. Vijay Lakshmi (Biochemistry) and Dr. Ankit Verma (Microbiology) secured the first prize.
The session concluded with a vote of thanks from Prof. Jyotsna Agarwal, Head of the Microbiology Department and Chairperson of WAAW 2025, who appreciated the enthusiastic participation of residents.
Continuing the awareness activities, the Department of Microbiology also organised a CME on November 21. The programme began with a welcome address by Prof. Agarwal, followed by lectures from two distinguished speakers—Prof. Rangmei SK Marak, Head of Microbiology, SGPGIMS Lucknow, and Col. Dr. Nandita Hazra, Head of Lab Sciences, Command Hospital, Central Command, Lucknow.
Prof. Marak spoke on the significance of antifungal stewardship in improving clinical outcomes for invasive fungal infections. Dr. Hazra discussed adult and neonatal sepsis, highlighting the role of microscopy in diagnosis and strategies to optimise antibiotic use.
The sessions received an excellent response from faculty members, residents, and other participants. The programme concluded with the felicitation of the winners of the inter-departmental PG quiz, marking the successful completion of the awareness initiatives under World Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness Week 2025.
