By Asma’u Ahmad
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has advised Nigerians to seek professional medical advice before taking or using antibiotics to avoid misuse.
Dr Joshua Obasanya, the Director, Prevention and Programme Coordination, NCDC, made the call at the Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness Walk to mark the National Antibiotics Awareness Week (NAAW) on Monday in Abuja.
The theme of the event is: “Misuse of Antibiotics Puts Us All AT Risk.” Obasanya, therefore, stressed the need to protect and preserve the current antibiotics that we have for future generations.
Dr Joshua Obasanya
He noted that globally, antibiotics were widely used for the treatment of infections in human and animals. Obasanya, however, said there were rising public health concerns over the unnecessary use of antibiotics in human and animals, and increased in antimicrobial resistance.
He also said that the emergence of multidrug-resistant organisms had led to increased mortality and economic burden. Obasanya also stressed the need for stakeholders to work together to advocate the proper procurement and responsible use of antimicrobials.
The director added that there were no new antibiotics in the pipeline, as such, we must all come together to protect the ones we have for future generations.
He therefore advised that the public should only use drugs prescribed by a certified health professional and never to share drugs with anyone.
The director also advised that when medications were prescribed, it must be taken in its full dosage even when you feel better and also never to use leftover medicines.
Dr Zainab Abdulkareem, Department of Veterinary and Pest Control Services, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, also urged farmers to seek professional advice before using antibiotics on animals
She advised farmers to always consult veterinarians before using antibiotics on animals, saying if farmers take precautions and adequate care of animals by keeping them healthy, they will not need to use antibiotics.
“If you provide your animals with nutritious and clean food, clean water, clean environment, reduce stress and vaccinate them against diseases, it will help preserve the efficacy of our antibiotics for the future.
“Self-medication on animals is wrong. For instance, if your animal is sick and you just buy antibiotics and give it to the animal and it eventually dies.
“Even if you slaughter the animal before it dies and sell, those who consume it are taking the active ingredient of antibiotics.
“Good animal management practices helps by keeping them clean and keeping their environment clean as well as feeding them with nutritious food.
“Foods that will boost their immune system and keep them in a spacious and well ventilated environment; these are some practices that will help animals breed well,” she said.
