Mbabane: Minister of Health Lizzie Nkosi has urged emaSwati to take or prescribe antibiotics ‘only when needed and to treat bacterial infections.’
She has been speaking at the commemoration of World Antimicrobials Awareness Week (WAAW) held under the theme, ‘Spread Awareness, Stop Resistance.’
Making her remarks, minister Nkosi said, “Eswatini has not been spared from the high use of antibiotics-the antibiotic use surveillance currently underway in the human health sector showed an increase in the use of antibiotics. This high use of antibiotics could potentiate the emergence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR).”
The legislator further added, “AMR makes it harder to treat infections and increases the risk of disease spread, severe illness, and death in both humans and animals.”
WAAW is commemorated annually from 18 to 24 November. Eswatini’s WAAW commemoration this year has included: sensitization of the community at Ntsababovu dip tank in Ntfonjeni; as well as the sensitization of health facility providers, private sector pharmacies, environmentalists, and media representatives.
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