More than 250 participants gathered at Trail 5 in Islamabad for a community hike organised by the National Institute of Health in collaboration with Getz Pharma, the Fleming Fund and the Food and Agriculture Organization during World Antimicrobial Awareness Week. The event, billed as a Hike for Health to Fight AMR, aimed to raise AMR awareness and highlight the need for responsible antibiotic use across human, animal and environmental sectors.
Healthcare professionals, public health experts, students, civil society members and representatives from partner organisations joined the walk, with officials from the Islamabad Wildlife Management Board also taking part. The turnout underlined growing public interest in antibiotic stewardship and the shared responsibility that communities and institutions hold in curbing resistance.
Recent studies show Pakistan ranks among the highest antibiotic consumers in low- and middle-income countries, trailing only India and China. High consumption combined with misuse and overuse of medicines, widespread self-medication, gaps in surveillance, poor sanitation and the circulation of substandard or falsified drugs are accelerating resistance. The result is longer illnesses, higher treatment costs and a rise in infections that are harder to cure.
Dr. Mumtaz, Chief of the Centre for Disease Control at NIH, said “Antimicrobial resistance is one of the greatest public health challenges of our time. Our joint efforts during AMR awareness week demonstrate that fighting this threat requires strong coordination across all sectors and active engagement from the community.” Her remarks stressed the importance of coordinated action on surveillance, regulation and public education.
Representatives from participating organisations emphasised that awareness activities such as the Trail 5 hike help translate complex public health messages into local action. “Addressing antimicrobial resistance requires united action. Collaborative efforts like today’s awareness activity strengthen public understanding and highlight the shared responsibility we all carry in protecting the effectiveness of life-saving medicines,” they said, calling for sustained community engagement and stronger stewardship at all levels.
Organisers urged participants to carry the message beyond the trail by adopting prudent antibiotic practices, supporting better sanitation, and reporting suspected substandard medicines. Continued focus on AMR awareness in Pakistan, backed by multisector coordination and community-led initiatives, is essential to protect current and future treatment options.
