E-bug project CroatiaWhy are you involved in the e-Bug project?I’m involved in the e-Bug project because I personally think that the education of children is the most im-portant and most productive prevention methods there is. Any action, especially regarding the antibiot-ic consumption, the difference between bacteria and viruses as well as a rational use of antibiotics, when explained and taught to kids gives a results not just instantly, but as well in the years to come. In a long term it is one of the cheapest but then again easiest way prevention method, with the long term results.

How have you implemented e-Bug in your country?Unfortunately , e-Bug has not been implemented in Croatia, in a a way that it has been implemented in the other countries, although substantial efforts have been made, the e-Bug website has not yet been translated in Croatia. However, lot of actions regarding the raising awareness have been made, through public health actions and cam-paigns. Here you can see photos of some of them. We published a children’s book (that has been sent to all the chil-dren schools in Croatia), produced a theater show by the plot of the children’s book and organized education for the children school teachers. Also, a public promotion of the responsible antibiotic use has been organized as well as education of public about the difference between viruses and bacteria and rational use of antibiotics. Medical students of all the medical schools in Croatia participated in the public campaign in the four biggest cities Zagreb, Rijeka, Split and Osijek. Medical students from Rijeka organized a carnival group for the second biggest Carnival in Europe (Rijeka Carnival), and more then 150 students were dressed like the mascot of the EAAD campaign.

What challenges have you faced and how have you overcome them?Challenges that we faced were mostly caused by lack of interest of the authority institutions, and of course insufficiency of funds. We tried to overcome them by a direct approach, public campaigns and by alternative ways of educating youth, that has proven to be popular and satisfactory covered by media.

What do you want from e-Bug in the future?

- translating e-Bug website in Croatian- raising importance of e-Bug among the appropriate authorities- bigger involvement of medical students and staff in the project- organizing public campaigns in more cities in Croatia (10)- organizing lectures for medical students and round tables with the international participation regarding the proper use and pre-scription of antibiotics in order to educate future doctors- bigger involvement and education of the children school teach-ers and primary school teachers in the e-Bug project and explain-ing the benefits of the e-Bug website for everyday work with children in classes