Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) and Science Communication in High Schools and Senior Citizen Associations

This program was carried out with the objective to communicate and increase awareness among high school students and senior citizens in Penang, lpoh and Klang Valley locations about the importance of antibiotics and the threat of antimicrobial resistance towards the achievement of the United
Nations’ (UN) Sustainable Developmental Goals (SDGs).The schools involved in this program are: SMK St. Mark, Penang (2 sessions of webinars), SMJK Perempuan Cina Pulau Pinang, Penang (1 session), SMK St. Michael lpoh (1 session) and Sri Desa lnternational Secondary School, Kuala Lumpur {1 session}. The senior citizen association involved in this program is SECITA (Senior Citizens Association Selangor and FederalTerritory).

a) Objective and findings from the program:
This program was carried out with the objective to communicate and increase awareness among high school students and senior citizens in Penang, lpoh and Klang Valley locations about the importance of antibiotics and the threat of antimicrobial resistance towards the achievement of the United
Nations’ (UN) Sustainable Developmental Goals (SDGs).

The schools involved in this program are: SMK St. Mark, Penang (2 sessions of webinars), SMJK Perempuan Cina Pulau Pinang, Penang (1 session), SMK St. Michael lpoh (1 session) and Sri Desa lnternational Secondary School, Kuala Lumpur {1 session}. The senior citizen association involved in
this program is SECITA (Senior Citizens Association Selangor and FederalTerritory).

b) Benefits and impact of the program:
This program communicated the important message about the threat of antimicrobial resistance towards the achievement of UN’s SDGs to the students and senior citizens. After the webinar, the participants are more aware of the differences between bacterial and viral infections, the importance of antibiotics, and also gain an initial understanding and exposure to the UN’s SDGs. School teachers were very receptive of the program and look forward to similar and advanced webinars of the same topic next year. lmportantly, they also suggested to include topics covered in
the webinar in the new high school curriculum for the next Malaysia Education Blueprint. lnterestingly, the senior citizen association members were highly receptive to the webinar, and participants asked many questions during the session. This shows the spirit of continuous learning in
our senior citizens – something that we should learn from them and carry into the future.