The National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD) says it has discovered an antibiotic resistant bacteria in Abuja meat products.
The Director-General (DG) of the institute, Dr Obi Adigwe said on Tuesday in Lagos that it uncovered the bacteria through a research.
He spoke at the backdrop of the World Antibiotics Awareness Week (WAAW) marked annually between Nov. 12 and 16.
“In what could be literally termed ‘the Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) battle for the survival of humankind’, researchers, particularly those in our field represent the first line of defence.
“At the NIPRD, we have now picked up the gauntlet and have engaged in ground breaking AMR research.
“In one of our recent studies which surveyed quality of livestock in the FCT, empirical evidence from laboratory investigations, indicated that meat products were tainted with bacteria that were resistant to commonly used antibiotics.
“Even more worrisome is the fact that some of these same products were contaminated with traces of heavy metals which have equally detrimental effects to human health,’’ Adigwe said.
The director-general said the institution was working to identify compatible partners to support in widening the scope of the study and also determine contextual causal mechanisms for some of the grave findings.
“Collaborative framework that allows partnership with like-minded organisations is the most strategic approach to strengthening the contextual knowledge and evidence base through surveillance and research.
“In our view, it is also the most effective means of ensuring that our research findings underpin interventions and implementations that ensure that lives are impacted, and health outcomes improved.
“NIPRD is statutorily charged with the responsibility for relevant research aimed at improving sustainable access to safe and high quality medicines and commodities, so this sort of AMR research is firmly within our purview,’’ Adigwe said.
He noted that overuse and misuse of antibiotics had led to the emergence and spread of AMR.
He said that human, animal and environmental health, currently were all at considerable risk, given the fact that micro-organisms were increasingly becoming resistant to medicines that were effective in treating conditions caused by these pathogens.
The director-general said the awareness week was set aside all over the world to increase global awareness around issues relating to AMR awareness.
He said the goal of the commemoration went beyond increasing awareness of antibiotic resistance.
“The awareness week also aims at encouraging best practices among the general public, health professionals and policy makers to collectively and collaboratively work toward preventing the further emergence and spread of antibiotic resistance.
“Going beyond the commemoration of AMR this week, significant effort needs to be made by all stakeholders to go beyond the status quo.
“Adequate training for healthcare professionals is necessary; so also, is ensuring that patients and the public are sufficiently informed and engaged in matters relating to AMR.
“However, unless more research projects are undertaken within the various contextual settings, it will be difficult to develop a comprehensive or wide-spread evidence base to underpin policy and practice,’’ Adigwe said. (NAN)
