A recent medical research study revealed that Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), caused by the increased presence and spreading of genes, is a concern causing panic, given the worldwide adoption of antibiotics as a vital lifesaver. If not addressed, the AMR pose a menace to the long-standing advantage of antibiotics to human living and wellness. Sequel to this, it is imperative for several Nigerian ministries of health and other associated agencies to enlighten people and campaign against it to mitigate the AMR threat, if not eradicated.
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) occurs when diseases causing microorganisms mutate over time, meaning that they are harder to treat because they can resist the drug’s effects even when it is of adequate composition and used as prescribed, most times in some cases, they are impossible to treat. Misuse of antibiotics, which is interrelated with the rate at which people get access to antibiotics, may contribute to the emergence and transmission of AMR. According to reports, seven out of ten Nigerians get antibiotics from unauthorized sources, while many hospital patients receive excessive doses of antibiotics that might lead to drug-resistant germs.
Drug-resistant infections claim at least 700,000 people annually.
Antibiotics are undeniably important in contemporary treatment, but the threat they pose must be investigated. While antibiotics have saved millions of lives, experts have warned that these benefits are rapidly being undermined as new AMR causing genes arise and spread. Recent data suggest that AMR is a serious problem that requires prompt action. Statistics show that drug-resistant infections claim at least 700,000 people annually, and it is also forecasted that by 2050, drug-resistant microbes could lead to ten million deaths yearly if appropriate measures are not taken.
The World Health Organization (WHO) also reported that four of the fifteen antibiotic-resistant pathogens that pose the greatest threat to human and animal health have been found in Nigeria. The abuse of antibiotics in livestock and fish production is one of numerous contributing factors to the widespread proliferation of AMR. The widespread abuse of antimicrobials, notably in animals raised for human consumption, may be attributed to the infection spread to the animal health industry. Consuming foods containing these antimicrobials residues poses a risk of cancer, allergic reactions, and genetic alterations in people.
Increasing costs of livestock production are associated with AMR.
Furthermore, insufficient infection prevention and control, particularly in health institutions, as well as counterfeit or contaminated pharmaceuticals, all contribute to the spread of disease-causing microorganisms due to a lack of access to clean water and sanitation. Antimicrobial resistance also has socioeconomic effects. Loss of animals and increasing cost of livestock production are also associated to AMR, wreaking havoc on farmers’ bottom lines and having a negative effect on GDP. This scenario underscores the crucial need of initiating proactive action against AMR.
As a preventative step to curb the spread of AMR, there has to be a substantial emphasis on raising global awareness and sensitizing people on the issue of antimicrobial resistance. Such as the World Antimicrobial Awareness Week (WAAW) commemorated this year between November 18 and November 24, tagged “Preventing antimicrobial resistance together.” Understanding the interconnected nature of human, animal, food, and environmental health necessitates a coordinated effort on the part of the government, multi-sector, and other major stakeholders to develop and implement programs, policies, legislation, and research with the goal of improving public health outcomes.
Nigerian gov’t should prioritize implementing stringent regulations.
Nigeria needs to improve its healthcare delivery system by maximizing cooperation and coordination amongst essential sectors, including regulatory authorities, and practitioners in human health, animal husbandry, environmental, and other fields. The government of Nigeria should make it a top priority to implement stringent regulatory mechanisms and support education initiatives to ensure that antimicrobials are used responsibly and sparingly by the people who are entrusted with caring for people, animals, and plants. In addition, phasing out the use of antimicrobials and funding R&D for new approaches to prevent antimicrobial resistance is also crucial.
Related Link
Wikipedia: Website
The content on AskNigeria.com is given for general information only and does not constitute a professional opinion, and users should seek their own legal/professional advice. There is data available online that lists details, facts and further information not listed in this post, please complete your own investigation into these matters and reach your own conclusion. AskNigeria.com accepts no responsibility for losses from any person acting or refraining from acting as a result of content contained in this website and/or other websites which may be linked to this website.
Fact Checking Tool – Snopes.com
Implications of the drug-resistant infections – 4 of the 15 antibiotic-resistant pathogens have been discovered in Nigeria. – Express your point of view.
Kudos to the medical team do being able to reveal (AMR). I also applaud WHO for their own discoveries about the AMR. Preventative step to curb the spread of AMR, creating awareness about negative impact AMR has on animals and Gov’t prioritizing the implementation or stringent regulations would help solve situations.
This drug infection resistants should be well investigated and experimented before usage. It should be examined well to show that there won’t be any implications in it’s usage.
The claim of having found some of the drug resistant infections is alarming because of large number of deaths caused by such when not treated well.
Implications of the drug-resistant infections. We really need to do more improve our drug resident. A lot of people have die because of infection
Government and also the local, international organisations responsible for the protection of human kind should do there best to curb this diseases causing microorganisms because they are dangerous.
Antibiotics are clearly crucial in the practice of modern medicine; nonetheless, the risk that they present needs further investigation.
An important factor in the development and spread of AMR is the frequency with which antibiotics are misused.
This is nice some antibiotic drug as been found in other to save life of drug resistant because people are dying of this. And the drug found should be careful experiment well
This is threatening to antibiotics. All hands should be on deck to avoid this. Government and necessary health agency needs to be proactive on this concerning matter.
Given the widespread usage of antibiotics around the world, the development of antibiotic-resistant microorganisms (AMR) is a major reason for alarm.
Seven out of ten Nigerians buy antibiotics illegally, and many hospital patients receive excessive doses that may cause drug-resistant bacteria.
Several Nigerian ministries of health and other affiliated agencies must educate the public and run campaigns against AMR if the threat is to be reduced, or even eliminated.
when disease-causing microbes change over time, making them more difficult to treat because they are able to withstand the effects of the drug even when it is of sufficient composition and administered as directed. This is the case even when the drug has been used as directed.
It’s possible that the infection spread to the animal health business because of the widespread misuse of antimicrobials, particularly in animals that are farmed for the purpose of being consumed by humans.
Regulatory bodies and healthcare providers in the areas of human and animal health as well as environmental protection must work together more closely in Nigeria if the country is to enhance its healthcare delivery system.
A concerted effort on the part of the government is required if it is to be successful in gaining an understanding of the linked nature of human, animal, food, and environmental health.
If the Nigerian government is serious about reducing the inappropriate use of antimicrobials, it must prioritize the development of strict regulatory systems and the funding of education campaigns.
Antibiotic misuse, which is connected to how quickly patients may acquire antibiotics, may be a factor in the development and spread of AMR.
Before using, this medication’s infection resistance should be thoroughly examined and tested. It should be thoroughly examined to demonstrate that its use won’t have any consequences.
Government in collaboration with the healthcare sector should swing into action raise awareness about this dreadful antimicrobial resistance in which has been discovered in Nigeria already. Rapid measures should be taken to mitigate against it. People should be educated about the use of antibiotics drugs and the danger it posed to us if if misused.
If 4 out of 15 Antibiotics resisting pathogens are present in Nigeria them our lives are in serious danger. Government alone with the health care sector should start quick awareness and educate as many as possible. It should be treated as emergency please.