Madam Diana Shasha Badu Odai, the head of microbiology Lab at the Sunyani teaching hospital has bemoaned the high rate at which Anti Microbial Resistance (AMR) is killing human. 

‎She explained, Micro-organisms such as bacterial, virus, parasites and fungi have become resistant to the drugs meant for its treatment, adding it continues to pose threat to food security and public health globally. 

‎Madam Shasha Badu Odai indicated that, misuse and overuse of anti microbials, lack of access to clean water for both humans and animals are among the leading factors causing anti microbial resistance.

The head of the microbiology lab was speaking to Sompa news on the sidelines of a two day Media Professionals’ Training in Communicating Information on Antimicrobial Resistance and Antimicrobial Use in ‎Sunyani. 

‎The training was organised by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture. 

‎"In 2019, 5,900 deaths were recorded in Ghana, 4.95 million deaths recorded globally", saying it's higher than COVID-19 related deaths recorded same year. 

"10-million people will die by 2050 if efforts are not stepped up to end Anti microbial resistance", Madam Shasha Badu Odai projected. 

‎She called on Ghanaians to have attitudinal change, saying they must follow strictly antibiotics administration and desist from misusing and overusing them. 

‎"No new class of anti microbials have been produced in the last 30-years", she noted.

‎Madam Shasha Badu Odai charged Ghanaians to visit health facilities and get tested for infections when they feel sick rather than self medicating. 

She added that continuous trial and error of self medication of antimicrobials is harmful to the human body. 

‎Other officials who trained the media include, Dr Kofi Afakye, the Anti microbial Resistance (AMR) coordinator- FAO, Mr David Youngs, Head of communication-FAO, Dr Jackson Adiyiaa Nyantakyi, Ashanti regional director of EPA.

‎The rest are Dr Benjamin Kissi Sasu, senior veterinary officer, Veterinary services, Prof. Eric Koka, Lecturer and National Social Scientist on the AMR Project at FAO and Dr Joachim Darko, Bono regional director of veterinary services. 

‎Sompaonline.com/Akua Nyarko Abronoma