Crown Princess Mary of Denmark, as a patron of WHO’s Regional Office for Europe, has released a video for World Antibiotic Awareness Week (WAAW) through the World Health Organization (WHO). WAAW runs from 12 November through 18 November. This year is dedicated to One Health a “common sense approach based on the fact that human and animal health and the health of the environment cannot be separated.”
The Crown Princess speaks in the four-minute video about the importance of combating antibiotic resistance – a growing occurrence in the Europe region.
Her Royal Highness remarks in the video, “I have supported the work to combat antimicrobial resistance, or AMR, since 2012.”
The Australian born Crown Princess then explains why she has shown her support for AMR over the years, “I am truly convinced that this is one of the major threats of our time to the health of humans and animals. This threat is growing, and we need to address is wisely and with growing strength.”
She goes on to explain that as AMR impacts everyone, we all need to understand and act on it.
“We have the knowledge and know-how so there is no excuse not to act,” Crown Princess Mary stressed.
Denmark’s future Queen consort also spoke about the importance and relation between building up resistance for animals with antibiotics and that of humans. “This makes it clear that it is not enough to work towards responsible use of antibiotics in humans alone,” she said.
Continuing Her Royal Highness stressed that AMR does not respect geographic or human/animal environmental borders.
“Europe has always been at the forefront in the fight against AMR. I encourage each and every one of you to demonstrate your highest commitment and embrace the One Health approach.”
“One Health is, after all, common sense,” she concluded.
Crown Princess Mary has been the patron of WHO Europe since 2005.