The National Institute of Health joined forces with Getz Pharma, the Fleming Fund and the Food and Agriculture Organization for a community hike at Trail 5 in Islamabad during World Antimicrobial Awareness Week. The ‘Hike for Health to Fight AMR’ aimed to highlight antimicrobial resistance and promote responsible antibiotic use across human, animal and environmental sectors, with officials from the Islamabad Wildlife Management Board also participating.
More than 250 participants took part, including healthcare professionals, public health experts, students, civil society members and representatives from partner organisations. Organisers said the activity symbolised unity and collective responsibility in tackling drug-resistant infections and engaging local communities in practical awareness work.
‘Antimicrobial resistance is one of the greatest public health challenges of our time,’ said Dr Mumtaz, Chief, Center for Disease Control, NIH. ‘Our joint efforts during AMR Awareness Week demonstrate that fighting this threat requires strong coordination across all sectors and active engagement from the community.’
Recent studies indicate Pakistan is the third-largest consumer of antibiotics among low- and middle-income countries, behind India and China. That high consumption is a key driver of antimicrobial resistance, compounded by misuse and overuse, limited surveillance, self-medication, poor sanitation and the circulation of substandard or falsified medicines. These trends lead to longer illnesses, higher medical costs and increased mortality as once-treatable infections become harder or impossible to cure.
Representatives from Getz Pharma, the Fleming Fund and FAO said that addressing antimicrobial resistance requires united action and sustained public engagement. ‘Collaborative efforts like today’s awareness activity strengthen public understanding and highlight the shared responsibility we all carry in protecting the effectiveness of life-saving medicines,’ they added.
Organisers emphasised that local outreach at Trail 5 and similar community events are part of a broader One Health approach to curb antimicrobial resistance in Pakistan. The NIH reaffirmed its commitment to continued awareness, surveillance and partnerships to preserve antibiotic effectiveness for future generations.
