Expert calls for national policy on usage, monitoring of resistance to antibiotics

A Consultant Microbiologist, Dr Mutiu Bamidele, has urged the Federal Government to initiate a national policy on the usage and monitoring ofresistance to antibiotics.Bamidele, who lectures at the Lagos State University College of Medicine, Ikeja, made the plea in an interview  on Friday in Lagos.
 Wikipaedia, an online free encyclopaedia, defines antibiotics, also called antibacterial, as a type of antimicrobial drug used in the treatment and prevention of bacterial infections.They may either kill or inhibit the growth of bacteria.Bamidele spoke against the recent commitment by world leaders on the need for an act on antimicrobial resistance (AMR).World leaders had on Sept. 21 signalled an unprecedented level of attention to curb the spread of infections that were resistant to antimicrobial medicines.The World Health Organisation (WHO), also in a statement said, “AMRhappens when bacteria, viruses, parasites, and fungi develop resistance against medicines that were previously able to cure them.’’According to Bamidele, to curb antimicrobial resistance, there is need for a national antibiotic policy which will address when and how antibiotic should be used.“Also, it will stipulate who to prescribeantibiotics to, which are supposed to be a controlled drug.“But, it is now available all over the counters in Nigeria; the policy will also specify monitoring of resistance across the country,’’ Bamidele said.The consultant also called for infection prevention and control policy to address issues of high rate of hospital acquired infections and itsattendant cost, morbidity and mortality.Bamidele said that the policy would prevent the spread of resistant microbes among the patients.“Also, there is need for re-education of the populace, including the healthcare providers, on the appropriate use of antibiotic for viral infections.“There is need for control of antibioticuse in animal husbandry which has led to increased antibiotic use that has a direct relationship to resistance.“The diagnostic capacity must be step up to assist the physicians in proper selection of appropriate antibiotic,’’ he said.Bamidele also called for an antibiotic stewardship programme to train healthcare givers on the appropriate use of antibiotics.