African experts have discussed ways of curbing antimicrobial resistance (AMR), a global public health challenge that threatens human, animal, and environmental health. This was during the World Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness Week (WAAW), a global campaign that raises awareness about AMR and promotes best practices to reduce the spread of drug-resistant infections. Cameroon hosted the Africa Regional celebrations from November 18-22 in Yaounde.
Policymakers, health experts, and youth leaders attended the weeklong event. It was organized by the government of Cameroon in collaboration with the Africa Center for Diseases Control and Prevention, the African Union Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, (FAO), United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the World Organisation for Animal Health, (WAOH), and the World Health Organisation, (WHO).
AMR is the ability of microorganisms ranging from bacteria, viruses, parasites and fungi, to resist the effects of antimicrobial drugs notably antibiotics.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Cameroon’s Minister of Livestock, Fisheries and Animal Industries (MINEPIA), Dr Taiga recalled that AMR is a global concern, in human, animal and environmental health. “It represents one of the most serious threats to the world today,” Dr Taiga said. “Despite its silent nature, AMR is particularly devastating for our health systems, with repercussions on economic development”, the minister declared.
Activities this year took place under the theme: “Educate. Advocate. Act now”, emphasizing the need for cross-sector collaboration to preserve the effectiveness of antimicrobials.
AMR, driven by the misuse and overuse of antibiotics across sectors, is a significant concern in Africa, where resistance rates are rising and threaten decades of progress in disease control, experts say.
Minister Taiga said the promotion of better understanding of good practices in the use of antimicrobials in all relevant sectors and areas of activity is crucial in Africa’s fight against AMR.
He called for the harnessing of energy in “building the capacity of stakeholders and diagnostic laboratories, organising public awareness campaigns, supporting research into the development of new therapeutic strategies and alternatives to the use of antimicrobials and putting in place clear and effective policies to regulate the use of antimicrobials and plant protection products”.
The FAO Subregional Coordinator for Central Africa Athman Mravili, emphasised that the population growth in Africa put a lot of pressure on food demand in agriculture that translates to high production of food of animal origin and crops that associated with the use of antimicrobials.
“FAO mandate covers antimicrobial stewardship over a variety of disciplines such as aquatic and terrestrial animal heath, welfare and production, food and feed safety, crop production and protection, water, land stewardship and overall, along the agri-food system” he indicated.
He said the FAO is committed to support the mitigation of the risk of the AMR by consolidating its close collaboration with member states and development partners.
“It is our core belief that by working together hand-in-hand and each playing our part, we can slow AMR, build more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agri-food systems for better production, better nutrition, better environment and better life, leaving no one behind,” said the FAO Subregional Coordinator for Central Africa. He was speaking on the behalf of the Assistant Director General and Regional Representative for Africa, Haile Gabriel Abebe.
Besides panel discussions involving experts in the domain, other highlights of the week included a youth football tournament, indoor session engaging young people on the continent on the dangers of the AMR and the AMR media wards that recognizes and rewards media practitioners for outstanding contribution in raising awareness on the threat of the silent global pandemic in Africa.
AMR is a global health crisis accounting for 700,000 deaths worldwide with Africa as a major hotspot. Experts say it could cause up to 4.1 million deaths annually across Africa by 2050 if unchecked.
