Oshikoto commemorates World Antimicrobials Day
The Oshikoto health directorate organised a march in Omuthiya to commemorate World Antimicrobials Day. The march, led by healthcare workers, commenced from the Omuthiya District Hospital and concluded at the informal open market. It was aimed at creating awareness against the prevailing resistance against antimicrobials.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) describes antimicrobials as agents used to prevent, control and treat infectious diseases in humans, animals and plants, but are becoming increasingly ineffective. WHO says antimicrobial resistance occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites no longer respond to antimicrobial agents.
The WHO states that as a result of drug resistance, antibiotics and other antimicrobials, agents become ineffective and infections become difficult or impossible to treat, increasing the risk of disease spread, severe illness and death.
To strengthen the key message from the WHO, Oshikoto pharmacist Martin Kauluma stressed that patients should adhere to their prescriptions.
“You receive prescriptions such as antibiotics to kill the bacteria making you sick. But over time, if you did not take your medication as prescribed, the bacteria create a resistance to the medication you received.
This is why it is important to always finish your course,” he added.
The regional pharmacist emphasised that healthcare workers have a role to play by ensuring that they perform a thorough enquiry with patients to determine how they had used previous antibiotic prescriptions.
Additionally, doctors and nurses should not over-prescribe antibiotics to patients.
Oshikoto regional councillor Philemon Ndjambula, who delivered the keynote address on behalf of governor Penda ya Ndakolo, noted that the region currently has 14 drug-resistant cases of TB.
The governor emphasised that the fight belongs to all, and should not be left to
healthcare workers alone. “We need to help the health ministry in the fight against antimicrobials. There is a need to ensure the provision of clean water, sanitation and a hygienic environment to prevent and reduce the transmission of infections”, said Ya Ndakolo. The governor also cautioned those patients who demand antibiotic prescriptions at hospitals even when not needed, and advised them to trust the healthcare workers.
“We need to safeguard our health because we need to be a healthy nation to make a Namibia prosperous nation to ensure Vision 2030,” the politician noted.