NAIROBI, Nov. 14 (Xinhua) -- Kenya's health authorities on Wednesday inaugurated a team to help reinforce a policy on antimicrobial resistance.
Rashid Amana, chief administrative secretary (CAS) in the ministry of health, said that the team will help set the policy direction, coordinate partners and mobilize resources towards management of misuse of antibiotics in the country.
"The team will help raise awareness on the dangers of misusing antibiotics, conducting surveillance to understand trends and implement infection prevention and control measures," Amana said during a symposium on antimicrobial in Nairobi.
He said that the government will utilize the intergovernmental coordinating structures to support the implementation of the national action plan on antimicrobials.
Amana said that the government will ensure accountability and transparency in tracking progress on the implementation of the national action plan and intensify advocacy to keep the antimicrobial campaign as a priority.
Harry Kimutai, principal secretary for livestock called for the responsible use of antibiotics both in human, livestock and plant to save lives of people.
"We are applying a holistic and multi-sectoral approach to help protect the public from accessing antibiotics without recommendation from trained personnel," he added.
Kimutai revealed that Kenya is in the process of reviewing legislation on antimicrobials in line with the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE).
He said that OIE has developed international standards on antimicrobials resistance to help governments support animal health with harmonized policies and rules.
Jackson Kioko, director of medical services (DMS) said that Kenya has earmarked to set up 20 surveillance sites in the next five years to reduce misuse of antibiotics.
Kioko revealed that Kenya has tested the surveillance systems under the watch of the world health organization (WHO).
"Once we manage antimicrobials problem in the country, we are also addressing the government's Universal Health Coverage (UHC) agenda," he noted.
Kioko said that antimicrobials pose danger and threat as it triple burden of diseases besides causing deaths of 10 million people in Sub Saharan Africa (SSA).
He called for intensified public awareness to save people from buying antibiotics off the counter by seeking professional service from medics.
Experts at the symposium asked policymakers to ensure that legislation supports responsible and prudent use of antimicrobials.
They further called for capacity to implement legislation on veterinary services in the fight against the problem.
The new team is composed of experts from ministries of health, agriculture, livestock and environment.
Others are from public universities, international organizations and professional bodies from medical and livestock. Enditem
