PRECLUSION OF ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF HUMAN HEALTH
18 Jan 2023
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It was like a failure of human being, when microbes were all lethal to them. A number of people died because of microbialinfections. Then human proved he is an incredible superior creature; when enthusiastically fought until the solutions to the problem was found in 1928. Penicillin, which was thought to be panacea of human’s problems, since its discoveryhumankind fall in euphoria due to decreased morbidity and mortality resulting in increased productivity and life expectance. Ever since, human being was regarded as a triumphant. “Yes we won”. In 1945, during the Nobel Prize ceremony, Fleming warned the world on occurrence ofresistant microbes to antibiotics, particularly if the antibiotics are misused. Then 18 years later penicillin resistant microbes surfaced.
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) that means the capacity of microbe to survive or even grow in the presence of antimicrobial agents (AMA) that is usually sufficient to inhibit or kill them. One of the major main causes of AMR is irrational use of AMA. In many rural areas, it isn’t uncommon to use any AMA for any disease condition. Habitually people can save AMA for the next illness. Moreover, human medicines are used as animal growth promoters that are fed through animal feeds. About half of all AMA are inappropriate prescribed, dispensed and several of them are easily available in accredited drugs dispensing outlets. The AMR now is attributed to prolonged illness, higher health careexpenditures and increased mortality rate. All those affect humankind negatively.
It is undeniable truth now that microbes are fighting back to return their lost glory. Hence there is a need for an urgent callto preclude their reactions (AMR). This can be achieved through rising awareness and understanding of AMR among the community using modern and effective means of communication and training. The target groups should be different the general public, youths, farmers, health practitioners and policy markers. This will foster the rational use of AMA, hence improving human health.
Some of the issues that should be encouraged include medical practitioners to prescribe AMA only when necessary and advice patients to consume AMA only if they are prescribed by qualified practitioners, and to strictly adhere to the therapeutic regimens. Farmers and livestock keepers shoulddiscourage or completely abandon the habit of irrationally using AMA in animal feeds or as growth promoter as well as adhering to veterinary and agriculture experts’ advices on proper use of chemicals. On other hand, the Governmentshould enforce efficient measures on licensing, distribution and quality assurance of AMA. One study conducted at MUHAS in 2014 showed presence of sub-standardized AMAin our country.
Improving diagnostic techniques and endeavoring to use tests that deliver timely results should be employed by prescribers, which ultimately will reduce the ‘’trial and errors in treatment of patients’’ and reducing costs incurred on human health.
A need for a comprehensive collaboration health personneland researchers to improve antimicrobial stewardship, this can be achieved through AMA innovation. On the other hand, the government should support such initiatives by disbursement of significant funds for research.
Finally, in order to promote rational use of AMA and reduce further spread of AMR, better surveillance systems should be established that will involve different cadres such as policy markers, responsible health authorities and health professional bodies to disseminate the information on AMR to the general public and advocate proper use of AMA. I call upon each and every one to stand up and prevent further spread of AMR.
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