Online Reporter
Robin Muchetu, Health and Gender Editor
THE Ministry of Health and Child Care has urged the public to desist from using antibiotics to treat common colds and flu, warning that such practices contribute to Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), a growing threat to both human and animal health.
AMR occurs when organisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites evolve to resist the effects of antimicrobials designed to kill or inhibit them.
This resistance can lead to higher medical costs, prolonged hospital stays and increased mortality.
Health and Child Care Deputy Minister Sleiman Kwidini, said public awareness was crucial in addressing AMR, a persistent challenge in Zimbabwe.
He was speaking during the One Health Collaboration for AMR Mitigation meeting, held under the National Action Plan 2.0 on the sidelines of the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF).
“Public awareness is the cornerstone of effective AMR mitigation. Many still believe antibiotics can cure viral infections like the common cold. Others self-medicate, skip doses or pressure health professionals for unnecessary prescriptions,” said Deputy Minister Kwidini.
“We must reach our people with clear, consistent messages delivered through trusted community voices, digital platforms, schools and health centres. Knowledge is power and in this case, knowledge saves lives.”
Deputy Minister Kwidini emphasised that prevention was the most cost-effective tool against AMR. He said misuse of antimicrobials in agriculture, food production and pharmaceuticals further endangers human health.
“The overuse and misuse of antimicrobials in livestock leads to resistant microbes that can travel through the food chain and harm human health. It is therefore essential that all industry players adopt responsible, science-based practices in line with our National Action Plan practices that preserve public health without compromising food safety or economic progress,” he said.
Deputy Minister Kwidini said promoting hygiene, infection control, immunisation and responsible antimicrobial use in healthcare and farming could significantly reduce the burden of disease.
He called for communities to be equipped with the tools and knowledge to take action. “Where resistance does occur, we must respond with strength using evidence-based guidelines, access to second-line treatments and stronger lab capacities.
Stewardship programmes in our health facilities are critical to ensuring that antibiotics remain effective for future generations,” he said. The private sector has also been urged to play a key role in the AMR fight. “Pharmaceutical companies should lead the way in developing new antimicrobials and alternative treatments. Agricultural producers must adopt best practices and improve biosecurity. Retailers and food processors have an opportunity to educate consumers and source products responsibly.
Through public-private partnerships, we can amplify the reach and effectiveness of our National Action Plan,” said Deputy Minister Kwidini.
He stressed that under the One Health approach, protecting antimicrobials was not only about science or policy but about safeguarding people, the economy and future generations.
The One Health concept brings together the health, agriculture, environment and wildlife sectors to collaboratively tackle health challenges.
Experts said they are committed to ensuring that medicines administered to humans and animals are safe, effective and of good quality.
Addressing the issue of counterfeit medicines, the Ministry of Health and Child Care revealed that they are now using hand-held detection devices to identify counterfeit, falsified and substandard medicines purchased across the country.
“The results so far are shocking, this is a project that we are implementing with the multi-partner fund, which includes WHO, Food and Agriculture Organisation and the World Organisation for Animals. They came together and funded various programmes and we will present results as they come. “As they come out, we intend to have the ubuntu approach that we have been preaching, which is the One Health Approach to solving this problem,” the Ministry said.
The public has been cautioned against buying medicines outside conventional places like pharmacies and hospitals, and warned not to pressure pharmacies for antibiotics without prescriptions, as this fuels AMR.
The Veterinary Services Department said they are carrying out awareness campaigns with farmers to educate them on proper withdrawal times for livestock medications and to warn against consuming animals that have died of unknown causes, a practice that can contribute to AMR in humans.
— @NyembeziMu
