Africa-Press – Tanzania. THE Food and Agricultural organization of the United Nations (FAO) has urged farmers to consult experts before they purchase and use antimicrobial agents.
The community and farmers in particular use antimicrobial agents to address different challenges facing animals, agriculture, the environment and human being.
FAO National Coordinator of Antimicrobial resistance Project Dr Elibariki Mwakapeje cautioned the community in Mbeya at the just ended Nanenane exhibitions that they should seek advice from experts first because using antimicrobial agents, because without good advice the agents can cause/lead to antimicrobial resistance. Proper animal husbandry practices improve livelihoods and economic status.
He said the antimicrobial resistance occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites change over time and fail to respond to medicines making infections harder to treat and increasing the risk of disease spread, severe illness and sometimes death.
“You should not use antimicrobial agents inappropriately to propagate the challenge of Antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
He told people and the farmers that Livestocks, environment, human being and animals will always face challenges therefore people should be able to ask experts so that they can identify and provide them appropriate antimicrobial agents.
“We have met hundreds of farmers to educate them on this important message. We have raised awareness and we told them the importance of using proper antimicrobial agents. It’s better for their heath, the environment and their cattle.,” he said.
He asked those who have received the education to be ambassadors and spread this knowledge to their respective communities.
Antimicrobial resistance is fast spreading causing an estimated death of 700,000 across the world annually and every country is potentially affected due to challenges related to antimicrobials resistance. Besides death, it also affects socio-economic development of different countries.
He said antimicrobials resistance is a mult-sectoral issue as such all sectors should come on one table to address the challenge.
“The general public has a role to play, all sectors have a role to play. Experts alone cannot do everything they need cooperation from different players and stakeholders to ensure quality medicine all times,” he said.
National antimicrobial resistance focal person at the Ministry of Livestock and fisheries Dr. Gibonce Kayuni emphasized on proper stewardship of existing antimicrobial treatments, broad access to affordable medicines, investments in the development of new treatments for human being, animals, agriculture and the environment.
He said the doors of the Ministry are open for different stakeholders such as farmers and livestock keepers to go and get professional advice.
“We are here to raise awareness and educate people on different technologies and proper administration of vaccines. I encourage them to visit our offices which are scattered across the country,” he said.
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