Author: SPA Communications Team
Estimated Read Time: 3 – 4 min
Introduction: Schools at the Frontline of Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is not just a hospital problem — it’s a growing community health crisis that affects everyone. As part of our commitment to public education and prevention, Sustain Pharma Action (SPA), under the Roll Back Antimicrobial Resistance (RBA) Initiative, hosted a powerful roundtable discussion at Hananasif Primary School in Kinondoni, Dar es Salaam.
Our mission: to foster early awareness of AMR and its link to pharmaceutical waste, encouraging behavior change where it begins — in schools and homes.
Leading the Discussion: Teachers as Ambassadors of Change
The session brought together students and teachers in an open dialogue on how antibiotic misuse and improper disposal of medicines contribute to the spread of resistant bacteria.
The roundtable highlighted that:
- Teachers are key influencers in shaping student behavior and community awareness
- AMR is closely tied to environmental pollution through pharmaceutical waste
- Simple actions like not sharing antibiotics or proper drug disposal can make a big difference
By equipping educators with knowledge, we plant seeds of change that extend far beyond the classroom.
AMR, Education & Community Health: A Critical Connection
This outreach underlines our belief that combating AMR requires a bottom-up approach. While policy and healthcare reforms are essential, so is grassroots awareness. That’s why SPA is committed to:
- Integrating AMR education into school health programs
- Promoting responsible antibiotic use among families through student-led messaging
- Connecting AMR risks with climate and environmental health, especially in underserved communities
These themes resonate with growing public searches for “how to prevent antibiotic resistance”, “safe disposal of medicines”, and “AMR education for youth”.
Conclusion: Building Resilient Communities Through Youth Engagement
As part of the RBA Initiative, this roundtable showed how schools can be powerful platforms for public health transformation. SPA is proud to lead these efforts, recognizing that the fight against AMR must begin with knowledge, empathy, and intergenerational collaboration.
We thank the dedicated staff of Hananasif Primary School and look forward to expanding this model to more schools across Tanzania.
