Community champion in Bolivia sparks local action on antibiotic resistance through storytelling

2024-12-15

Among the colourful streets of El Alto, Bolivia, with gravity-defying buildings that contrast with the freshly baked bread and cultural richness of its people, a fascinating story has begun to blossom— of the transformative power of community in tackling antibiotic resistance.

It all began in 2022 when Patricia Nogales, a passionate community leader, decided to share her story about Periferia, a little piglet that was being fed with waste at a local garbage dump. But what seemed like a simple story became a powerful symbol of awareness and change. Periferia was not only fed scraps; she was also routinely given antibiotics, a detail that Patricia knew had much deeper implications.

Their story was published in late 2023 by ReAct Latin America and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) in the book “Hagamos Historia contando nuestras historias” (“Let’s Make History by Telling Our Stories”) resonating at various community events locally and regionally. Periferia’s story became a call to action, raising awareness in communities about the dangers of inappropriate antibiotic use and bacterial resistance.

A neighbourhood caravan for multi-sectoral dialogue

Patricia Nogales telling the story “Yo no tengo la culpa” (I am not to blame), about the implications of the inappropriate use of antibiotics in animal husbandry.

Since then, Patricia has managed to mobilize her community in amazing ways. With her infectious energy and unwavering determination, she brought together academics, health professionals, municipality representatives, artists, young people, and butchers to organize the annual World AMR Awareness Week, which runs from November 18-24.

Dr. Christian Trigoso, professor emeritus of microbiology at the Universidad Mayor de San Andrés, gave a lecture on the consequences on human, animal and environmental health of the excessive use of antibiotics in intensive animal husbandry, in addition to supporting the organization and management of the event, mobilizing his colleagues and students.

November 21, in particular, was a special day; the morning began with a neighborhood caravan full of joy to the rhythm of the drums, where the vibrant sound of the batucada of the Kolla Loca Theater group animated the collection of antibiotics and expired medicines in the community of La Ceja. Health professionals from the Ambulatory Reference Center (CRA) joined the effort, handing out flyers and information at local pharmacies.

But that was not all. Despite the cold and rain that threatened to dampen the event, in the afternoon a multi-sectoral dialogue took place where meat distributors, professors from the Public University of El Alto and the Universidad Mayor de San Andrés, representatives of the National Institute of Health Laboratories (INLASA), and the Autonomous Government of El Alto met to discuss the impact of the inappropriate use of antibiotics in food production. Patricia, with her usual charisma, once again shared the story of Periferia in front of some 200 people. Her story not only captured the attention of the audience; it also ignited a spark of reflection on how our actions can have collective repercussions.

The transformative power of Empowered Communities

Patricia’s initiative with the story of Periferia is an example of the transformative power of communities to act and mobilize broad social sectors to work on antibiotic resistance. Despite having a very small budget, they managed to produce t-shirts, flyers, and everything necessary to make a great campaign that had a remarkable local impact. It should be noted that El Alto is one of the most impoverished and vulnerable areas in Bolivia; therefore, the active participation and commitment of both communities and local authorities is essential to address AMR from their own contexts and needs.

Thanks to Patricia’s tireless efforts, health professionals, teachers, and community representatives also joined this meeting to form a multi-sectoral citizens’ committee for AMR surveillance. Together they are promoting public policies that address, among other things, the proper collection of expired antibiotics and the regulation of antibiotic use in the intensive breeding of food animals.

Periferia’s story reminds us that each of us can be an agent of change; all we need to do is take the first step and share our voice. In El Alto, the echo of change rings loud and clear: together we can face the challenges of AMR. Let’s educate, promote, and act now!