Health
Expert advocates One Health approach to tackle antimicrobial resistance
By Gabriel Oshokha
A lecturer at the Department Microbiology, Faculty of Science, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Dr Falodun Israel, has highlighted the need for an all-inclusive One Health approach to tackling the spread of antimicrobial resistance.
He asserted that antimicrobial resistance is no longer a problem limited to hospitals and healthcare facilities, as evidence increasingly shows that resistant organisms found in humans can also be found in animals and the environment.
“What we find in humans, we also find in animals, and we also find in the environment. Human beings interact with animals, animals interact with the environment, and these interactions create pathways through which resistant organisms can spread,” Falodun said.
The microbiologist made the assertions on Wednesday, while delivering Faculty Lecture titled: “Navigating the Interconnectivity of Antimicrobial Resistance at the Interface of One Health,” held at the Lakeside Faculty Lecture Theatre, on behalf of the Department of Microbiology, University of Ibadan.
Falodun observed that the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance requires a coordinated approach that recognises the inseparable relationship between human health, animal health and environmental wellbeing.
The lecturer examined the misuse and overuse of antimicrobial agents across human medicine, veterinary practice, and environmental systems, and how they are accelerating the spread of drug-resistant microorganisms, and creating a global public health challenge.
The don stated that the One Health concept emphasises that protecting human health must involve protecting animals and preserving the environment because all three are interconnected and mutually dependent.
Falodun expressed worry over the widespread use of antibiotics in animal husbandry, where antimicrobial agents are often administered not only for treatment but also for growth promotion.
“Such practices contribute significantly to the emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance,” he said.
The microbiologist warned that antibiotic residues and resistant bacteria can find their way into the food chain through animal products consumed by humans,” adding that, “Consequently, infections that were once easily treated may become difficult or impossible to cure using conventional antibiotics.”
Additionally, Falodun discouraged self-medication, describing it as a dangerous practice that contributes to antimicrobial resistance, saying that even though some patients complain about the number of diagnostic tests required before treatment, proper laboratory investigation remains essential for accurate diagnosis and effective healthcare delivery.
“The stress people try to avoid through self-medication is insignificant compared to the consequences of antimicrobial resistance,” Falodun said.
The don posited that successful management of infectious diseases requires collaboration among medical doctors, laboratory scientists and pharmacists, each contributing specialised expertise to ensure appropriate treatment.
Speaking at the event after the lecture, the Dean of the Faculty of Science, Prof. I.A. Oladosu, disclosed ongoing research efforts within the University of Ibadan, aimed at addressing pressing health challenges, including studies on Ebola and other infectious diseases.
According to him, Nigerian scientists are endowed with the expertise and intellectual capacity to compete globally, saying that they are, however, often hindered by inadequate funding and limited access to modern research facilities and equipment.
Oladosu said the Faculty Lecture series serves as a platform for showcasing the groundbreaking work of researchers while exposing students to emerging scientific discoveries and innovations.
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