This year's WAAW theme, "Act Now, Protect Our Present, Secure Our Future," underscores the urgency of collective action to curb antimicrobial misuse. The message, according to the ministry, is a reminder that responsible use of antibiotics today will determine the country's ability to treat infections in the future. Explaining the severity of the problem, Maiha noted that antimicrobial resistance (AMR) occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites stop responding to medicines that were once effective. He described AMR as "one of the most critical public health threats globally," warning that its rise is already limiting treatment options for common infections.