The World Health Organisation (WHO), and CSIR-Water Research Institute (WRI), have organised a one-day seminar to share and discuss the research findings and implications of the twelve research studies published from the Ghana National Structured Operational Research Training Initiative (SORT IT) course on Antimicrobial Resistance studies with all relevant stakeholders.
The event, held at the Oak Plaza in Accra, was conducted with the support of the United Kingdom Department of Health under the World Health Organisation Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (WHO/TDR), the WHO country office, and the Ghana AMR platform to conduct research intended to generate and utilise evidence to combat the emergence, spread, and health impact of antimicrobial resistance.
Twelve researchers participated in the 4-modular program and published it in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, ”Special Issue on Operational Research to Combat Antimicrobial Resistance in Ghana”.
Speaking on behalf of the chairperson, Dr. Ruby Asmah, the Principal Technologist at the CSIR Water Research Institute Ghana, Mrs. Lady Asantewah Boamah said the CSIR-Water Research Institute is committed to achieving objective four of the Ghana National AMR Action Plan to improve knowledge and evidence in AMR through surveillance and research.
She said surveillance is important to monitor changes in microbial populations and allow the early detection of resistant strains of public health significance.
Mrs Asantewah Boamah advised the public to practice good hygiene, which will be the first step towards preventing infections in the first place and stopping the use of unprescribed antibiotics.
The Clinical Pharmacologist and Vice Dean at the Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Prof. Kwame Ohene Buabeng, added that all hands must be on deck to put up pragmatic and efficient solutions to AMR. He applauded the various organisations for the work done in researching AMR in various fields.
He also encouraged the media to seek out the documents from the research and provide information to the public.
The Technical Officer, AMR for Sort IT, Dr George Kwesi Hedidor, asserted that the WHO is helping researchers communicate their findings to key stakeholders so that they will be used in formulating policies and interventions on AMR.
According to him, AMR can be eradicated when we create awareness among the people. He encouraged all and sundry to work together to fight this menace.
For his part, the Senior Specialist and Head of the Drug Unit at the Ministry of Health, Saviour Kwame Yevutsey, disclosed that AMR can also be seen in animals and plants aside from humans. He said effective monitoring should be done to ensure that the standard for administering antibiotics is adhered to.
He advised the public to continue with good habits like hand washing and to desist from buying and using antibiotics when an unprofessional medical practitioner has prescribed them.
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global health and development threat which requires urgent multi-sectoral action to deal with. AMR occurs when bacteria, fungi, viruses, and parasites change over time and no longer respond to medicines. This makes infections harder to treat which leading to higher medical costs, prolonged hospital stays, and increased mortality.
In Ghana, research has shown that resistance to the use of some antibiotics is at a higher rate, averaging about 70%.
