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Grant, stressed a social movement to deal with the crisis.

Prof Zahidul Hasan, renowned microbiologist and senior consultant at Square Hospitals, said, “Cheaper drugs like Cotrim and Ciprofloxacin were used to cure any infection. But there are now ineffective and we need to prescribe antibiotics which are more potent and cost around Tk 20,000 to cure a common infection.”

Speakers at the event stressed spreading awareness to ensure the judicious use of antibiotics.

Rakibul Hasan, senior specialist at National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB), said they have the scope to include a chapter on AMR in their proposed books on health education at secondary-level schools from 2024.

Faculties and students from different medical colleges and universities, writers and journalists said they will be advocating on the threat of AMR in their arena.

Prof Tahmina Shirin, director of the IEDCR, presided over the event.