Siaya: Abuse of antimicrobial medicine in Siaya county has been identified as a major contributor to increased mortality rate in the region.

According to Kenya News Agency, the county director of medical services, Dr. Achieng Fwaya, highlighted that the abuse of antimicrobials has resulted in increased drug resistance among patients, leading to high mortality rates.

Speaking during the launch of World Antimicrobial Resistance Week, Dr. Fwaya revealed that globally, approximately 1.3 million lives are lost annually due to antimicrobial resistance-related deaths, with the number expected to rise if action is not taken to reverse the trend. Throughout the campaign week, efforts will focus on public sensitization regarding the safe use of antibiotics in treating humans, animals, and plants across the county.

Dr. Fwaya emphasized the role of environmental usage in contributing to microbial medicine resistance and stressed the importance of public education on proper medicine use to protect future generations. The World Antimicrobial Resistance Week in Siaya will be observed from November 17 to 24, reaching patients and the public through face-to-face and social media campaigns about proper drug use.

The county director of medical services was joined by Dr. Caleb Okoth, chair of the Siaya County Antimicrobial Stewardship Committee, who described antimicrobial resistance as a silent killer. He noted that diseases previously curable now fail to respond to drugs due to underdosage in both humans and animals, especially through over-the-counter drug purchases, resulting in drug-resistant strains that can transfer between animals, plants, and humans.

Dr. Okoth called for collective efforts from society to support health, environment, and agriculture sectors, which are primary antimicrobial users, in combating antimicrobial resistance. He urged the public to avoid purchasing drugs without prescriptions and to ensure they complete prescribed doses to prevent drug resistance.