Olga Perovic

Principal Pathologist at National Institute for Communicable Diseases a division of National Health Laboratory Service and A/Professor at University of WITS

[Olga Perovic @OlgaPerovic]

@SouthAfricanASP @nicd_sa @ShabirMadh @Tuliodna @AHRI_News @SACEMAdirector @hivepi @UCTHealthSci Excellent thanks Marc.

[Olga Perovic @OlgaPerovic]

Thank you for the opportunity to participate. I believe conversations & awareness around #AMR are the first steps to combat a condition that threatens the efficacy of modern medicine as we know it. The time for action is now! #AfricaWAAW @NICD

[hcsmAFRICA @hcsmAFRICA]

We are a few minutes over, thank you to everyone who participated today in the #AfricaWAAW Twitter chat. We are about to end with your Closing Thoughts! Again, please keep your ideas and insights coming afterwards!

[NICD @nicd_sa]

CT2: We have to increase the number of antibiotics in the drug-development pipeline, improve vaccination & promote an increased uptake of infection control measures in the community & healthcare settings @OlgaPerovic #AfricaWAAW

[NICD @nicd_sa]

CT: It is important to create a consortium of academic, biotechnology & pharmaceutical industry partners to promote innovation in rapid diagnostic #AMR tests @OlgaPerovic #AfricaWAAW

[NICD @nicd_sa]

T5: Simply put, #AMR occurs when disease-causing micro-organisms develop resistance against treatment, which ultimately inhibits its effectiveness. This condition poses serious public health concerns on a global scale @OlgaPerovic #AfricaWAAW

[NICD @nicd_sa]

T4: 'Get Smart: Know When Antibiotics Work' is a fantastic program that focuses on appropriate antibiotic prescribing & the use for common illnesses in both children & adults @OlgaPerovic #AfricaWAAW

[NICD @nicd_sa]

T4: Promotional programs, for instance 'Get Smart: Know When Antibiotics Work' should be encouraged. Many antibiotics prescribed in doctors’ offices, clinics and other outpatient settings are not needed @OlgaPerovic #AfricaWAAW

[NICD @nicd_sa]

T4: Failure to identify & address gaps in the systems that support AMR action plans are the main challenges that affects overall AMR awareness. Lack of education & limited access to information also contribute towards the problem @OlgaPerovic #AfricaWAAW

[NICD @nicd_sa]

T3: New food labels, stating the amount of antibiotics used in production, will also increase awareness amongst consumers to enable them to make better informed decisions @OlgaPerovic #AfricaWAAW

[NICD @nicd_sa]

T3: Investments will fast-track education & outreach programs to clarify & strengthen responsible & appropriate use of antibiotics in humans & animals. The media is also encouraged to advocate the appropriate use of antibiotics @OlgaPerovic #AfricaWAAW

[NICD @nicd_sa]

T3: Awareness can be created by implementing public health programs & reporting policies that advance the prevention of AMR. It's vital to foster antibiotic stewardship in all sectors @OlgaPerovic #AfricaWAAW

[NICD @nicd_sa]

T2: AMR is complex & involves many stakeholders, incl professionals in human & animal healthcare, food-producing & environmental sectors, academic institutions, governments, industries & research orgs. The One Health approach should be adopted by all @OlgaPerovic #AfricaWAAW

[NICD @nicd_sa]

T1,AMR awareness is key. It requires sustained, coordinated & complementary efforts from public & private sectors, healthcare providers, vets, farmers, policy makers & patients. Antibiotics are overprescribed, which inhibits the effectiveness of treatment @OlgaPerovic #AfricaWAAW

[Olga Perovic @OlgaPerovic]

Antimicrobial resistance research and surveillance remains a great passion of mine. I’m excited to be involved in tonight’s Twitter chat and to hear what the other panel experts have to say #AfricaWAAW @NICD @hcsmAFRICA

[Olga Perovic @OlgaPerovic]

Hi everyone, I’m Olga Perovic, an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Health Sciences at Wits, Head of the @WHO Collaborating Centre for AMR in the AFRO and established GERMS-SA, the national AMR surveillance program #AfricaWAAW @NICD @hcsmAFRICA

[Olga Perovic @OlgaPerovic]

Loop - Olga Perovic https://t.co/cJsqaYf1aa

[Olga Perovic @OlgaPerovic]

@rene_sparks Thank you all for engaging in AMR conversation #ProtectAntibioticsZA

[Olga Perovic @OlgaPerovic]

@hcsmsa Also make our environment antibiotic free #ProtectAntibioticsZA

[Olga Perovic @OlgaPerovic]

@hcsmsa CT Overall there are so many important issue regarding AMR, we need to start integrated thinking and changing our approach; campaign like this can change human behaviors. Thank you for invitation. #ProtectAntibioticsZA

[Olga Perovic @OlgaPerovic]

Yes, lack of communication and right information creates uncertainty and leads to devastation #ProtectAntibioticsZA

[Debbie Goff @idpharmd]

Have them go to @PeggyFund website to hear from survivors of #cdiff and family members who lost loved ones from unnecessary #antibiotics Risk vs perceived Benefit #ProtectAntibioticsZA