The Association Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria (AMLSN) has said ignorance, poverty and weak regulations in various health practices are leading factors for increasing antibiotics resistance in Nigeria.
Alhaji Toyosi Raheem, National President of the association, made this known while briefing newsmen on Thursday in Abuja.
Raheem said the briefing was part of the activities to commemorate the 2017 World Biomedical Science Day.
He said the theme of the 2017 commemoration is “Antibiotic resistence: Biomedical response to the global threat’’.
According to him, the dangers of antibiotics resistance include wastage of drugs, damage of organs and systems, prolong hospital visit and admission due to treatment failures and complications, among others.
He added that the uncontrolled use and misuse of antibiotics in animal feeds and poultry has further worsen the menace of antibiotic resistance.
Raheem said because of the emerging antibiotic resistance many microorganisms have developed resistance.
“This means that some essential cases can hardly get drugs for the treatment of the infections,” he said.
He said the recent outbreak of meningitis calls for all hands to be on deck in appropriate, faster diagnosis and chemotherapy especially rational use of antibiotics.
Raheem said the association has issued directives to all its state chapters to sensitise communities and stakeholders on the negative effects of antibiotic resistance.
“As a responsible organisation, we need to decisively respond to the threat and engage community in advocacy and proper and faster methods for detecting infectious agents and their susceptibility testing,” he said.
The biomedical laboratory science day is one of the World Health Organisation observance day marked on April 15 annually.
The commemoration is to promote the profession and celebrate the role of medical laboratory scientists in proper diagnosis and preventive healthcare system. (NAN)
AM/EEM/MST