By: Isatou Sarr
The Ministry of Health, in partnership with United Nations agencies, launched Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Awareness Week, emphasizing the growing public health threat posed by the misuse of antibiotics and other medications.
The event, held on Wednesday at the Central Medical Stores in Kotu, aimed to educate the public on responsible drug use and the dangers of resistant bacteria.
Director of Health Services, Njundu Jatta, warned that antimicrobial resistance is no longer a looming threat but a current reality, responsible for millions of deaths globally each year. “It affects almost every part of our lives,” Jatta said. “If animals carry resistant bacteria and die, it affects our food safety and eventually our economy.”
World Health Organization Representative Momodou Barrow noted that AMR contributes to an estimated 1.27 million deaths annually, with nearly five million deaths associated with resistant infections each year. Projections suggest that without urgent intervention, AMR-related deaths could reach 10 million annually by 2050. In Africa, AMR already claims over 1.05 million lives, exceeding deaths from HIV/AIDS and malaria combined.
Deputy Director of Animal Health Services, Ousman Ceesay, stressed the role of livestock in the spread of resistant bacteria. He urged farmers and livestock owners to use antibiotics judiciously, prioritize vaccination, and adopt alternative methods to prevent disease rather than relying on antimicrobials that can enter the human food chain.
Officials said the week-long campaign is part of national efforts to curb the spread of AMR and to remind citizens, health workers, and the agricultural sector of their role in safeguarding public health.
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By: Isatou Sarr The Ministry of Health, in partnership with United Nations agencies, launched Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Awareness Week,…
The post Gambia Launches Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness Week appeared first on .
