Indonesia – FAO urge prudent use of antimicrobials to prevent “Silent Pandemic”
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the biggest threats to global health, food safety and security, plants and animal production, and global economic development. Around 700 000 human deaths each year are related to AMR. The global health issue called antimicrobial resistance (AMR) refer as the ‘silent pandemic’ that affects animal and human health.
Without action, by 2050, the global economy may lose more than USD 6 trillion annually because of AMR – nearly 4 percent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP). In just ten years, 24 million more people may be forced into extreme poverty due to AMR – many in low-income countries – thereby increasing the number of people hungry or suffering from malnutrition. This could pose another challenge for the world to achieving the SDGs, in particular SDG 2.
These facts are highlighted at the peak of the World Antibiotic Awareness Week campaign today in Nusa Dua Bali that has been conducted since November 18, in all over the world, including Indonesia.
AMR is rising to dangerously high levels in all parts of the world and threatening our ability to treat common infectious diseases. Infections affecting people – including pneumonia, tuberculosis, blood poisoning and gonorrhea – and animals alike are becoming harder, and sometimes impossible, to treat as antibiotics become less effective.
For agriculture, this causes production losses, damages livelihoods and jeopardizes food security. Moreover, AMR can spread among different hosts and the environment, and antimicrobial resistant microorganisms can contaminate the food chain.
“For the agricultural, livestock and animal health sectors, AMR poses a serious threat to the sustainability of food security and the sustainable development of animal health. The agricultural sector will find it difficult to withstand threat of this magnitude. We are committed to work with various stakeholders to increase the capacity of the agricultural sector to manage AMR and build resilience to the impacts of AMR, “ Syahrul Yasin Limpo, Minister of Agriculture of Indonesia said.
Antimicrobials play a critical role in treating diseases of food-producing animals (aquatic and terrestrial) and plants, helping to ensure food security. These medicines are used to treat animals that are already sick or to control the spread of a disease within a flock, herd or on a farm. AMR in food and agriculture poses risks to food systems, livelihoods and economies. Beside their direct negative impact on animals, animal diseases can also affect significantly food production, food security and farmer livelihoods. AMR increases these risks.
“The use of antimicrobials in agriculture contributes to the spread of AMR and undermines the effectiveness of veterinary medicines. Making sure these treatments remain effective and available to the agriculture sector is critical“, Rajendra Aryal, FAO Representative in Indonesia and Timor Leste said.
AMR is in Farming System, in Food We Eat
People might only think of the risk of exposure to antimicrobial-resistant pathogens in hospitals and healthcare facilities. However, because of the presence of antimicrobial resistant microorganisms in our farming systems, they may be present also in the food we eat. Antimicrobial-resistant microorganisms can develop in our food chain and move between animals, humans, and the environment. This makes AMR a problem that crosses sectoral boundaries.
Estimates of antibiotic consumption in global agriculture vary due to poor surveillance and data collection in many countries, ranging from around 63,000 tonnes/year to over 240,000 tonnes/yr. 75-90 % of tested antibiotics are excreted from animals un-metabolized and enter sewage systems and water sources. Environments polluted with waste from antibiotic manufacturing could be important reservoir of antibiotic resistance.
To adequately address AMR, the global health system practices “One Health” approach, to promote best practices to reduce the emergence and spread of antibiotic-resistant microbes in both humans and animals, pants, and their shared environments.
National Action Plan, a step forward
In Indonesia, a National Action Plan (NAP) on AMR has been developed and implemented by multi-sectoral stakeholders. It includes the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, Ministry of Environment and Forestry, Ministry of Defence, National Agency of Drugs and Food Control (BPOM), and few other relevant government agencies.
These also include WHO, FAO, National Antimicrobial Resistance Control Committee (KPRA), association and professional organisations, health care facilities (human, animal, and fishery), universities, private sectors, non-government organisations, general public, and civil society.
FAO has been working with the Directorate General of Livestock and Animal Services at the Ministry of Agriculture to provide required technical support to achieve the AMR NAP targets in livestock and food production systems.
It is one of priority partnership areas under the Global Health Security Agenda, which was launched in 2014 by 44 countries and international organizations and which received support from international partners, mainly the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
The Embassy of the United States to Indonesia Health Attaché Pamela Foster noted that “Health security is one of the most important parts of the United States partnership with Indonesia, one that has lasted for more than 70 years. Whether it be donating 16,9 million vaccines to Indonesia or today’s event on antimicrobial resistance. For over 15 years, the United States Government, through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has partnered with the Government of Indonesia to strengthen the country's capacity to prevent and control infectious diseases and recently to tackle the emergence and spread of AMR. The Government of Indonesia’s commitment and leadership to spread awareness and stop resistance using a One Health approach are critical to saving lives and achieving health security in the region,”
It is therefore important for everyone to think twice and seek advice before buying and using antimicrobials to plant, animal and human. Taking action against AMR will lead to more sustainable and resilient agri-food systems.