Africa-Press – Eritrea. Today’s Q&A highlights a collaborative campaign launched by the Ministries of Health, Agriculture, and Land, Water, and Environment to mark World Antibiotic Awareness Day. What is the link between livestock management and antibiotic resistance? What are the consequences of misusing antibiotics in animals, and what specific dangers do expired medicines pose to our food systems? Furthermore, what does “responsible use” look like in a veterinary context?
To answer these critical questions, we spoke with Mr. Robel Habtemariam, a veterinary expert at the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA).
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What can you tell us about antibiotics?
Antibiotics are medicines designed to treat infections caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. In our daily lives, we are expected to take medicines only when prescribed. However, nowadays, antibiotic resistance has become a serious problem due to the misuse of drugs without a physician’s prescription. This misuse causes bacteria, viruses, fungi, and even pests to become tolerant to medication.
Any medicine prescribed by a professional is given in relation to the specific disease we are suffering from. But when medicines are taken or misused without professional guidance, diseases become more resistant to treatment. As a result, illnesses take on different forms, making them increasingly difficult to cure.
What is the relationship between antibiotics and livestock?
Antibiotics play a vital role in livestock health, just as they do in humans. Livestock receive medical care, and during this process, antibiotics administered to animals can pass into their products—such as eggs, milk, and meat. This means that after an animal is administered a drug, the medicine remains in its body for a set period. The duration varies by drug.
In the accompanying information or instructions, it is clearly stated how many days or weeks the drug remains active. During this period, animal products should not be consumed. This is because the medicine administered to the animal is consumed by humans indirectly. Cooking or boiling does not destroy these drugs.
Therefore, it is essential that we only administer medicines to livestock and pets under the guidance and instructions of qualified professionals.
What particular role does the Ministry of Agriculture play in the joint campaign on antibiotic resistance?
The campaign primarily focuses on animals and raises awareness of antibiotic resistance. Humans have a close relationship with livestock because we depend on their products. Therefore, we must consider the risks to animal health, as well as the benefits of consumption. When animals are treated with medication, the drugs must be effective in treating them and should not cause unnecessary losses for farmers. This requires farmers to clearly explain disease symptoms to professionals before administering any medication and to give livestock only the appropriate medication as prescribed.
The Ministry of Agriculture strongly advocates that farmers consult professionals before administering any medicine to their livestock. The theme for this year’s campaign is “Let’s work today to secure the future of antibiotic treatment.” This theme encourages us not only to focus on present healing but also to consider the long-term impact of our actions. It reminds us of our responsibility to safeguard the effectiveness of antibiotics for future generations.
What does the proper use of medicine mean?
Not all medicines are the same. For example, infections can be caused by different diseases, and it is not appropriate to administer antibiotics to livestock simply because an infection is suspected. The cause of the disease must be properly diagnosed, and treatment should be based on professional consultation.
Medicine is beneficial when used at the right time and in the correct manner. When medicines are outdated or misused, they can become harmful or even poisonous. Therefore, proper use of drugs must always be followed.
Correct use also means avoiding the use of leftover medicines or using drugs simply because similar symptoms appeared before. Such practices contribute to antibiotic resistance. Instead of rushing to use medicine, greater emphasis should be placed on disease prevention.
The Ministry of Agriculture prioritizes disease prevention as a key responsibility. Animals should receive vaccines on time, and regular monitoring is necessary to ensure proper vaccination. Vaccines help prevent disease spread, making timely vaccination essential for livestock health.
If any disease develops or changes after vaccination, a specialist should be consulted immediately to ensure the appropriate medication is administered at the right time. Using medication longer than necessary or incorrectly can make it harmful rather than curative. Medicines must always be used strictly in accordance with professional instructions.
How can we prevent farmers from using outdated medicine?
Expired or unused medicines require special attention when being disposed of. Unlike ordinary waste, medicines should not be disposed of in regular garbage bins, landfills, water bodies, streams, or rivers.
If expired medicine is buried in soil, it can contaminate the land and affect crops grown in that area. Similarly, disposing of liquid or solid drugs near streams or wells can contaminate water sources. Livestock that drink from such water may suffer health problems, and people who use contaminated water—directly or indirectly— can also be affected. Gardeners using contaminated water may grow plants that carry harmful residues.
For these reasons, expired medicines and their containers should never be discarded in soil, water, gardens, or open areas. Proper disposal requires handing them over to nearby health centers, pharmacies, or animal health clinics, where they can be disposed of safely without harming people, livestock, or crops.
Thank you, Mr. Robel.
Safe and nutritious food for everyone, everywhere!
shabait
