The Federal College of Animal Health and Production Technology (FCAH&PT) in conjunction with its Department of Animal Health Technology, Ibadan held a summit, themed "Antimicrobial Resistance: Causes, Effects, and Prevention in the Environment, Animals, and Humans", to educate communities on AMR and antimicrobial stewardship.

Speaking at the 2024 Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness Summit organized by FCAH&PT in collaboration with its Department of Animal Health Technology, the Provost, Dr. Adekoya Owosibo, emphasized the institutions commitments to raising awareness about AMR.

“This week is Antimicrobial Awareness week and we see it as our responsibility to educate the public, especially livestock farmers, also about the dangers of anti-biotic deposits in animal products and their effects on human health “. Owosibo said.

In an interview with CEOAFRICA, he further advice the livestock farmers to thereby adhere to everything they heard at the seminar for the betterment of their produce.

“The farmers are to please follow all the dos and don’ts as emphasized by the Director”, he said.

The Provost of FCAH&PT also emphasized the institutions commitments to raising awareness about AMR. “This week is Antimicrobial Awareness week and we see it as our responsibility to educate the public, especially livestock farmers, also about the dangers of anti-biotic deposits in animal products and their effects on human health “. Owosibo said. In an exclusive interview, he further advice the livestock farmers to thereby adhere to everything they heard at the seminar for the betterment of their produce.

Similarly, the Director of Farm Services at the (FCAH&PT) in Ibadan, Dr. John Ajayi, called on livestock farmers to minimize the use of antibiotics on animals to combat the rising threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). He highlighted the risks associated with excessive use in livestock farming.

“My advice for livestock farmers-those who produce animals we consume, such as poultry products and other animal proteins-is to raise their animal in a way that requires minimal use of antibiotics. The more antibiotics are used, the greater the risk to society from antimicrobial resistance”, he stated.

Ajayi further recommended alternatives to antibiotics, such as probiotics, prebiotics, acidifiers, and yeast, to enhance livestock growth without compromising public health.

“Using antibiotics as a growth enhancer is counterproductive”, he added. “Antibotics should only be used when an animal is clearly diagnosed with an illness and requires treatment”.

Additionally, over 100 people received free medical screenings sponsored by Nikzar Medical Centre, Bode Igbo, Ibadan. Prominent speakers at the summit included Dr. Olusegun Ajisefini, Director of Clinical Documentation Integrity at Cedars-Sinai Hospital Systems in Beverly Hills, USA, as well as experts from FCAH&PT.