The “40th ANKEM Congress on Rational Antibiotic Use” to be held in collaboration with the Near East University and the Antibiotics and Chemotherapy Association will be hosted by the Near East University between May 8-11.

Antibiotics, humanity’s strongest shield against bacteria, are no longer as “strong” as they used to be due to their unconscious and widespread use. With bacteria becoming resistant to antibiotics, the superiority that humans have established over bacteria is now very close to ending! The Antibiotics and Chemotherapy Association (ANKEM) has been working to raise awareness about this problem for many years. Near East University, on the other hand, has made a name for itself with its “bacteriophage” studies, which are the most important alternative solutions in the fight against antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

Near East University and ANKEM will join forces to hold the “ANKEM Congress on Rational Antibiotic Use” to be held for the 40th time this year in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. Meeting before the congress, Near East University Rector Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ and ANKEM Association President Prof. Dr. Bülent Gürler, provided detailed information about the preparations for the successful realization of the congress and the content of the event. The meeting was also attended by the presidents of the “40th ANKEM Rational Antibiotic Use Congress” Prof. Dr. Sebahat Aksaray from the Health Sciences University and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Buket Baddal, faculty member of the Department of Medical Microbiology and Clinical Microbiology at the Near East University Faculty of Medicine and a researcher at the DESAM Research Institute, and Prof. Dr. Emrah Ruh, Head of the Department of Medical Microbiology and Clinical Microbiology at the Near East University Faculty of Medicine, who also served as the general secretary of the congress.

The congress, which will last for four days between May 8-11, 2025, will be held at the Near East University Atatürk Culture and Congress Center. There will be interactive sessions, conferences, panels, and oral and poster presentations throughout the congress. The congress, which will bring together many experts in the field in Cyprus, will also feature various events where science and art come together.

The congress, which will be carried out with the Dorana Tourism organization under the slogan “Get vaccinated for health, Use antibiotics rationally”, will address important issues such as the principles of rational antibiotic use in infectious diseases, epidemiological assessments, pharmacoeconomic approaches, vaccinations at all ages, surgical and critical patient infections.

Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ: “The congress will not only provide an exchange of information among health professionals, but will also pave the way for strengthening collaborations in developing effective strategies against antibiotic resistance.”

Emphasizing that the ANKEM Association has been conducting very important studies focusing on the rational use of antibiotics for many years, Near East University Rector Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ said, “We are very happy to host the 40th ANKEM Rational Use of Antibiotics Congress this year.”

Prof. Dr. Şanlıdağ said, “The congress will not only provide information exchange among health professionals, but will also pave the way for strengthening collaborations in developing effective strategies against antibiotic resistance.”

Stating that the congress will raise significant awareness among health professionals and society regarding the correct use of antibiotics, Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ said, “With the contributions of scientists, antibiotics will be used more rationally and effectively, creating a significant impact on the sustainability of health services.”

Prof. Dr. Bülent Gürler: “We aim to present a rich program at our congress with the participation of expert speakers, academics and professionals in their fields.”

ANKEM Association Board of Directors Chairman Prof. Dr. Bülent Gürler said that they were happy to hold the 40th ANKEM Congress on May 8-11, 2025 in cooperation with the Near East University. “40 years ago, under the roof of our ANKEM Association, which was founded in 1986, the mission of our association is the correct application of antimicrobial chemotherapy; by organizing congresses and seminars for our esteemed physicians and other healthcare professionals, by using various publications and the media when necessary, we have tried to inform our esteemed people. In this way, we have undertaken a duty to contribute to our professional development, increase our institutional unity and solidarity, and contribute to social and academic studies in the areas of activity of our Association.”

Prof. Dr. Gürler, who stated that “We aim to present a rich program at our congress with the participation of expert speakers, academicians and professionals in their fields. Our congress will create a unique opportunity for information exchange and cooperation opportunities. Various sessions, panels and oral presentation events will be organized during our congress, which will be hosted by Near East University.”