A children’s story helps children delve into the world of microorganisms and teaches them that not all bacteria are bad, but the importance of taking precautions against those that are.
At the Global Awareness Week on the Prudent Use of Antimicrobialsthe American pharmaceutical company Pfizer presents “Through the microscopic world of Martín“, a story that raises awareness and educates the little ones about the world of microorganisms and the prevention of antimicrobial resistance.
Martinwith the help of Bacilo and Klebsi, he embarks on countless adventures that teach him everything about the world of bacteria: there are beneficial bacteria, others that are not… the important thing is to know how to avoid the development and contagion of those that present a danger to human health.
Marta Maroto, head of Pfizer’s medical department on Antimicrobial Resistance and Rational Use of Antimicrobialsin addition to being the author of the illustrated story, she points out that the aim is none other than to explain them in a way fun and didactic the problem of antimicrobial resistance. Because, as he points out, knowledge is the basis of all development.
“It’s a tool to make known the fundamental role that beneficial bacteria play in our lives”, explains Maroto.
Antimicrobial resistance
Antimicrobial resistance is an exponentially growing public health problem.
According to the World Health Organization, every year around 700,000 people die worldwide from multi-resistant bacteria. In Europe there are more than 670,000 infections of this type, of which around 33,000 people die, more than 90 deaths per day. In the case of Spain, it reaches 4,000 a year.
Francisco Mesa, medical director of the Pfizer Spain Hospitals Unit explains that bacteria or other microorganisms have always evolved to resist the antimicrobials of medicine, but now it is different.
“In recent years, resistance has become a serious problem due to the increase in the so-called multi-resistant bacteria”, indicates the expert.
These bacteria present a special resistance to any therapeutic option, which is added to the fact that there has been, according to Mesa, a “stagnation in the discovery and development of new antibiotics”.
Regarding antimicrobial resistance, the medical director also warns that it is no longer just about the intractability of infectious diseases such as pneumonia or tuberculosis, but to this is added the fact that many procedures (such as an intervention surgery) or organ transplantation) could not be performed, due to the risk of contracting these infections.
The role of health workers
The role of health workers and their importance for the proper use of medicines in the population should not be neglected either.
Because the contribution of paediatricians, acting correctly in the face of the situation, can make a big difference.
“If we don’t do something now, antimicrobial-resistant infections will be the number one cause of death by 2050 according to WHO estimates,” he notes. Marta Taida García Ascaso, pediatrician at Nen Jesús Children’s Hospital from Madrid when he talks about the role of children in the prevention of infections.
Bring children closer to the world of microorganisms through a story
Maite Hernández, director of communications at Pfizer, says that the goal is to foster curiosity and the desire to learn from an early age.
Along these same lines, special emphasis is placed on the importance of making children aware of infectious diseases. Because prevention is a key piece. And the presentation of the story about microorganisms, a tool.
“The children have already shown during the pandemic that they are fully capable of understanding the situation and being part of the solution,” says the pediatrician.
With the story “Through the microscopic world of Martín”, Pfizer joins the World Awareness Week on the Prudent Use of Antimicrobials, trying to bring children closer to the world of health and microorganisms.