By Chima Azubuike
Experts have raised the alarm over the high rate of antibiotics misuse in Nigeria, lamenting that it has led to a rise in antibiotic resistance.
They noted that antibiotic resistance has dire consequences on health and leads to poor health outcomes.
The World Health Organisaion says antibiotic resistance is one of the biggest threats to global health, food security, and development today.
According to the global health body, antibiotic resistance leads to longer hospital stays, higher medical costs and increased mortality.
Reportr Door Healthwise reports that the experts raised the observation during 2023 World Antimicrobial Awareness Week with the theme: ‘Preventing Antimicrobial resistance together,’ organised by the Federal Teaching Hospital Gombe.
Delivering a presentation on Antimicrobial resistance and patient safety: lessons from moralities, Professor Mohammed Manga, decried the misuse of antimicrobial which he said may cause resistance.
According to him, antimicrobials are among the commonest drugs used in treating human illnesses, adding that infections especially in low reset settings are very common, the rate of the development of Antimicrobial resistance is very fast.
He said, “We want to sensitise everybody on the importance of Antimicrobial and the dangers associated with misuse and abuse of Antimicrobials which is the major driver in the development of Antimicrobials resistance.
“Antimicrobial is among the commonest drugs used in treating human illnesses because infections especially in low reset settings are very common and the rate of the development of Antimicrobial resistance is very fast and even faster than the rate at which we get more drugs for the treatment of these infections.”
While stressing the need to ensure continuous availability and relevance of antimicrobial, Manga added, “Pharmaceuticals are to conserve and preserve the ones that we currently have.
“It takes a very long time to develop a single antibiotic and it is very expensive and one cannot imagine a world without antimicrobials because many procedures, many illnesses can not be managed in the hospital without antimicrobials.
“So the world must come together to put all effort in ensuring that we defer the development of resistance as much as possible and in the process ensure that these Antimicrobials are continuously utilised.”
On his part, Chief Medical Director of Federal Teaching Hospital Gombe Dr Yusuf Abdullahi, who was represented by Chairman Medical Advisory Committee
Dr Sani Adamu, disclosed that poverty is a major cause of antimicrobial resistance.
“Out-of-pocket encourages alot of Antimicrobial resistance because not all drugs are provided to patients by Health Management Organisations,” he added.
Also speaking, Chairman of Nigerian Medical Association, Dr Abdulsalam Ibrahim, lamented the arbitrary use of antibiotics adding “Majority of people who take antibiotics don’t need it.”
Mrs Ronah Joseph, was awarded for her exemplary role as an Infection and Prevention Control personnel in FTH Gombe.
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