MoH issues warning on misuse of antibiotics

Malawi: The Ministry of Health (MoH) has warned people in the country not to overuse antibiotics, claiming that doing so puts them at risk of dying from treatable infections.

Moh Watipaso Kasambara, the national coordinator for antimicrobial resistance, stated this on Saturday during the second day of World Antibiotics Resistance Week in Lilongwe.

She stated that many people take antibiotics without a prescription from a competent health professional and that some do not finish the full dosage as prescribed after feeling better.

According to Peter Mwale, Chief Veterinarian at Central Veterinary Laboratory, consumable animals have the potential to spread antibiotic-resistant bacteria in humans if they are treated with antibiotics without consulting a veterinarian specialist.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 700,000 people die globally each year as a result of antibiotic resistance-related causes, with a projected 10 million deaths by 2050 if nothing is done.

The Ministry of Health joined the rest of the world in Antimicrobial Awareness Week (AAW), which began on November 18 and is expected to end on November 24 at the Bingu International Conference Centre.

The annual global campaign is held to raise public awareness and understanding of antibiotic resistance and to encourage best practices.