In a bid to develop the County policy and action plan to prevent antimicrobial resistance (AMR), the County Government of Uasin Gishu Department of Health Services with the support of the National AMR secretariat from the Ministry of Health and Agriculture Livestock Fisheries and Cooperatives has inaugurated the Uasin Gishu County antimicrobial stewardship Inter-Agency committee (CASIC).
According to the CEC for Health Services Dr. Evelyne Rotich, AMR occurs when the medicines used to treat microbes, like bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites, have weakened or are no longer effective and misuse and overuse of the anti-microbial may speed up the emergence of these drug-resistant infections hence discouraged the use of antibiotics without a prescription from a doctor.
Agriculture CEC Samuel Yego said that livestock uses 70 per cent of antibiotics that are not prescribed by veterinary and consuming milk and meat from such livestock and poultry is harmful to humans. He added that the committee will help in the policies to guide farmers and control the use of antibiotics and anti-microbial. The committee will also formulate mechanisms to use in the implementation of the policy.
CECM Water and Environment Ms Mary Njogu said that factors like lack of access to clean water, sanitation and hygiene can contribute to AMR further adding that the county has prioritized access to potable water to ensure that her residents are safe. She challenged the residents to take an initiative and responsibility while disposing of their waste.
