By Yunus S Saliu
On Friday, 12th January 2023, the National Pharmaceuticals Services under the Ministry of Health in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) held an awareness-raising press briefing to commemorate World Antimicrobial Week.
The briefing held at the Central Medical Store, Kotu was part of planned activities to celebrate World Antibacterial Resistance Awareness Week.
The press briefing was attended by different stakeholders under the theme Preventing Antimicrobial Resistance Together.
Among the key speakers at the briefing was Babanding Sabally, the Deputy Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Health.
He described an antimicrobial as ‘an agent that kills microorganisms or halts their growth and also gave some of its effect on the overall health system.
DPS Sabally, at the press briefing, highlighted the importance of antimicrobial awareness raising saying it helps people not to suffer from serious side effects of medicines, helps the health care provider to take care of the people by providing the right medication for them, and also help to detect problems related to the use of antibiotics.
He added that antibiotics awareness is important to everyone because it will help to detect antibiotics that you (people) are resistant to and prevent you (people) from harm and risks associated with the misuse of antibiotics.
The DPS however encouraged everyone to report all antibiotic resistance even if one does not have all the facts or is uncertain that the medicine is ineffective. Also, he said, if anyone observes any unusual side effects or reactions following taking antibiotics immediately report to the nearest health facility.
Haruna Jallow, Principal Lab Scientist discussed the prevention of antibiotic resistance by encouraging people to avoid the use of any antibiotics without a prescription and also not to use leftover antibiotics from other people.
He also urged everyone no to use an antibiotic that is prescribed for another person and added that people should adhere to their prescriber’s advice on how to take their antibiotics.
The Principal Lab Scientist added that once anyone observes any show signs or symptoms not clearly explained by the nature of their illness after taking medication, or suspect adverse drug reaction they should report immediately.