19 October 2022 | 09:30 - 14:00 CEST
Brussels, Belgium
Register here
Health Care Without Harm (HCWH) Europe is organising an in-person event to discuss leveraging the healthcare sector’s purchasing power to promote responsible use of antibiotics in European food production.
The European food production sector contributes to antimicrobial resistance (AMR) - a serious health threat and a growing challenge for healthcare systems. Overuse and misuse of antibiotics in farming is associated with a growing number of resistant bacteria that can spread to humans and therefore requires a holistic approach.
Healthcare institutions across Europe serve a large number of meals to patients, visitors, and staff every day. Through sustainable procurement, healthcare procurers can encourage food producers to transition to sustainable food systems that respect animal welfare and do not rely on antibiotic use.
This workshop aims to launch a dialogue between all stakeholders, including procurers, food producers, consumers, and scientists to promote solutions that help curb antimicrobial overuse and misuse in European food production.
Event programme
SpeakersSession 1: How can healthcare promote responsible antimicrobial use in food supply chains?
Moderated by Arianna Gamba, Circular Healthcare Programme Manager, HCWH Europe
Jeroen Dewulf, Professor in Veterinary Epidemiology - Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of Ghent University
Jeroen Dewulf serves as head of the department of Internal medicine, reproduction, and population medicine and leads the Veterinary Epidemiology Unit. Since 2009, he has been a member of the scientific committee of the Belgian Federal Agency for the Safety of the Food Chain (FASFC) and is the founder and chair of the Knowledge centre on antibiotic use and resistance in animals in Belgium (AMCRA). In addition, he is an entrepreneur and author.
Erik Ruiz, Safer Pharma Project Officer - Healthcare Without Harm (HCWH) Europe
Erik Ruiz holds a Masters in Political Science from the Universite Libre de Bruxelles, and undertook a Postgraduate programme in European Political Economy and Innovation from the London School of Economics and Political Science. At HCWH Europe he works towards raising awareness amongst European healthcare professionals about antimicrobials used in food production and their effect on the development of antimicrobial resistance.
Sarah Walpole, Clinical Fellow / Infectious diseases SpR, NHS Newcastle Hospitals
Sarah Walpole is an infectious diseases and general medicine specialist trainee doctor based in North East England. She champions planetary health with the Association of Medical Education in Europe (AMEE). She has previously worked as Medical Activities Manager for Medecins Sans Frontieres in DRC, as Lead Postgraduate Faculty for Doctors Worldwide in Bangladesh, and as MedGlobal telemedicine volunteer supporting Bangladeshi doctors remotely. She was previously the National Medical Director’s Clinical Leadership Fellow at the National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence.
Session 2: Engaging food producers in prudent antimicrobial use
Moderated by Erik Ruiz, Safer Pharma Project Officer, HCWH Europe
Jeroen Dewulf, Professor in Veterinary Epidemiology - Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of Ghent University
Jeroen Dewulf serves as head of the department of Internal medicine, reproduction, and population medicine and leads the Veterinary Epidemiology Unit. Since 2009, he has been a member of the scientific committee of the Belgian Federal Agency for the Safety of the Food Chain (FASFC) and is the founder and chair of the Knowledge centre on antibiotic use and resistance in animals in Belgium (AMCRA). In addition, he is an entrepreneur and author.
Gonzalo Palomo Guijarro, Researcher - University of Extremadura
Gonzalo Palomo Guijarro is a principal advisor, trainer, and researcher of ACTYVA, a multi stakeholder cooperative in the South West of Spain. His expertise includes organic husbandry, antibiotic resistance, animal health, and agroforestry. In addition to research, he also practices organic farming, and is the secretary of the Spanish Society of Organic Farming (SEAE) and president of Extremadura Sana, a regional organic farmers and advisers association.
Dennis Lars Olof Steffensen, Procurement and Data Analyst - City of Copenhagen
Dennis Lars Olof Steffensen works as a procurement and data analyst at the City of Copenhagen. He works on food procurement with a focus on Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs).
Edda Weiman, Medical Director - Children's hospital for chronic diseases), WHO Senior Consultant
Prof. Edda Weimann is a paediatrician, endocrinologist, and public health specialist with international work experience. She serves as a Medical Director of a children’s hospital for chronic diseases in Bavaria, and as a Professor of Child Health at the Technical University of Munich and Honorary Associate Professor of Health Information Systems at the University of Cape Town. She is an award winning researcher covering various topics, including child health, environmental health, climate change and health, and hospital management.