Sierra Leone warns of antimicrobial resistance
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Sierraloaded
Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security is calling for stronger action against antimicrobial resistance, which it considers dangerous to human and animal health and food security. The government is focusing in particular on disease surveillance and veterinary inspections, according to Sierraloaded.
Sierra Leone must strengthen disease surveillance and regulate the use of antimicrobials more closely to combat antimicrobial resistance, said Saidu Bamayange, director of the livestock and veterinary services division. He was speaking in Magburaka during celebrations for World Food Day, according to Sierraloaded.
Saidu Bamayange linked the spread of this resistance to environmental pressures, close contact between humans and animals, and the misuse of antimicrobial medicines. He called for a ‘One Health’ approach, coordinating human, animal and environmental health, to reduce risks to public health and food production, Sierraloaded reports.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security plans in particular to strengthen veterinary services, health surveillance and community-level interventions. The measures cited include the integrated animal disease surveillance and reporting system, the training of veterinary auxiliaries, and increased inspections at markets, slaughterhouses, quarantine posts and borders.
The president of the Sierra Leone Livestock Traders’ Union, Chernor Abubakarr Barrie, for his part called for better access to land and greater investment in livestock farming. He cited the high cost of animal feed, much of which is imported from Nigeria, and dependence on free-range grazing among the difficulties driving up livestock prices, according to Sierraloaded.
