Why we took AMR campaign to secondary school — Prof Ana

As the world continues to pay increased attention to the issue of anti-microbial resistance (AMR), a non-governmental organisation, Child Environmental Health and Safety Trust (CHEST), has trained secondary school students of Yinbol College, Orogun, Ibadan, the meaning, impact and preventive measures against AMR.

AMR is a rising phenomenon whereby microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, parasites resist the effects of drugs designed to kill or inhibit them. It is caused by over-prescribing antibiotics, patients not finishing their drug treatment, over-use of antibiotics in livestock and fish farming and lack of hygiene and poor sanitation.

AMR leads to increased difficulty in treating infections, prolonged illnesses and hospital admission, and more deaths from once-treatable infections.

Students were taught how they could reduce cases of AMR. These measures include use of antibiotics only when prescribed by the doctor, use of antibiotics exactly as prescribed, completing the full course, and preventing infections through good hygiene practices.

Professor Godson Ana, president of CHEST said the AMR campaign was taken to a school because children have proven to be “a major force in propagating good tenets at school at home. They are change agents and vanguards in our society.”

He added that creating awareness was essential because “apart from climate change AMR is another global issue. There is a public health dimension, there is also the environment dimension. AMR awareness is important in Africa where adherence to prescription is very low and abuse of medications either under-dose or overdose is very high.”

Responding on behalf of her school mates, the health prefect, Blessing Akinbode, thanked the organisers of the programme. She added that she was keen on improving hygienic practices, adding that “When I’m ill, I won’t stop taking prescribed medicine just because I feel better.”

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