IPB University Expert Proposes Controlling the Rate of Antimicrobial Resistance Using the One Health Approach
Professor of IPB University, Prof Agustin Indrawati revealed that Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a condition when microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites become resistant or immune to antimicrobials. The antimicrobials in question include (antibiotics, antiviral, antifungal, antiparasitic) which were previously effective in suppressing or killing these microorganisms.
“This happens because microbes undergo changes so that the drugs used to cure infections become ineffective,” he said in the Press Conference of Pre Scientific Oration of Professor of IPB University, 24/8.
Based on the Central of Disease Control (CDC) report, that in 2013 there were at least 2 million people in the United States suffering from serious infections by resistant bacteria. Not only that, at least 23 thousand people die every year as a direct result of antibiotic resistance.
Furthermore, Prof Agustin explained that the increasing use of antibiotics causes the incidence of resistance to accelerate. This is especially in developing countries because antibiotics can be accessed freely without a prescription for humans, animals, plants and the cultivation sector. Generally, antibiotics are used as treatment, disease prevention or growth triggers in animals and plants.
According to him, the government in Indonesia has implemented a trend to control antimicrobial resistance. “In this case, the Ministry of Agriculture uses the national action plan from 2020 to 2024, conducts an evaluation and then extends it to 2029 because it turns out that there are still many things that cannot be done,” he said.
The IPB University lecturer said that if observed, almost every home today used to store antibiotics that are used when symptoms of disease occur. Some antibiotics are not only used for humans but also for animals and plants.
Facing this reality, he said, a quick and appropriate action is needed to prevent a global crisis both in disease prevention and treatment, food production safety systems and the environment.
He also reviewed, in the world of animal science, the use of antibiotics is not only used as a therapeutic or treatment. But antibiotics are also used as a mixture of feed to spur growth and also used as a disease preventative.
“The risk of AMR can be caused to humans by direct acquisition through food of animal origin containing AMR. The transmission of resistant bacteria in the environment is an important reservoir such as soil, water, industry, agricultural waste, and various polluted ecologies. Therefore, it is necessary to approach it through the concept of “One Health”, which is through inter-disciplinary and multi-domain collaborative actions at local, national and international scales,” said Prof Agustin Indrawati, IPB University lecturer from the School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences.
She continued, successful implementation of One Health requires co-operation from human, animal and environmental health partners through communication, collaboration and coordination. Relevant executives in the One Health approach include professionals in human health, animal health, environment, and other fields of expertise.
“Thus, as long as there are infectious diseases, the use of antimicrobials is still needed for healing so that real steps are needed to slow down the rate of resistance by using antibiotics wisely and appropriately, maintaining sanitation, hygiene and maintaining food safety,” she concluded. (Ns/ra) (IAAS/RUM)
