Tripoli -The Libyan Ministry of Health (MOH), in collaboration with the National Center for Disease Control and the World Health Organization country office of Libya, celebrated on 14th December the conclusion of a series of activities on the occasion of the World Antibiotic Awareness Week (WAAW2017) under the theme “Seek advice from a doctor before taking antibiotics”. The final event was held in Tripoli in the presence of H.E Minister of Health Dr Omar Bashir, the Director General of the National Center for Disease Control Dr Badereddin Alnajaar, delegates from the Ministry of Animal Wealth, the University of Tripoli, faculty members from the University of Tripoli, Nasser University, directors of the department of national center for disease control and students of the Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy. 

The event included presentations of a number of researches and studies on the use of antibiotics in Libyan hospitals. The main presentation was introduced by students from faculty of medicine and faculty of pharmacy at the University of Tripoli, reflecting their work under supervision of microbiology and immunology department in both faculties, NCDC and WHO. Guided by the academic staff of both faculties, the students worked to help decrease the misuse of antibiotics and raise awareness among the public of the dangers of antibiotic resistant bacteria. In addition they conducted an extensive study targeting: students at high school level and universities, doctors and pharmacist. The results have been shown and discussed during the event.

Similar groups of students have been set in other Libyan universities in order to implement the same activity in each city until 8 January 2018.

The World Health Organization (WHO) country office of Libya acknowledged such awareness-raising activities and honored the students with certificate of appreciation and reiterated its commitment to provide them with the logistical support.