Environment

Ignore Antimicrobial Resistance At Your Own Risk – India High Commissioner

Published

5 years ago

January 25, 2020

The Indian High Commissioner to Zambia Mr. Ngulkham Gangte has warned that any country that ignores the effects of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) does so at its own peril.

Gangte gave the warning at the three-day Pan-Africa Workshop on Effective Implementation of National Action Plans on Antimicrobial Resistance holding in Zambia.

The workshop which has in attendance experts from 11 countries is organized by the Zambia National Public Health Institute, Ministry of Health, Zambia in conjunction with the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) the India-based think tank.

It is also attended by journalists from five African countries that shared their experiences from the ground and got to know what is being done to contain this crisis of AMR.

AMR is the ability of a microorganism (like bacteria, viruses, and some parasites) to stop an antimicrobial (such as antibiotics, antivirals and antimalarial) from working against it.

According to Gangte, the ability of organisms to resist antimicrobial treatment especially antibiotics had a direct impact on human and animal health that carried a heavy economic burden due to the high cost of treatment, and reduced productivity caused by prolonged sickness.

“AMR also impact food safety, nutrition security, livelihoods and consequently, attainment of several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

“Therefore, we all must work together to prevent the menace of AMR in our countries,” Gangte advised.

Also, Zambian Minister of Health Dr. Chitalu Chilufya called on African countries to urgently act on the development and implementation of National Action Plans (NAPs) for Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR).

Chilufya said the objective of the workshop is to discuss the threat of AMR to humans, animals, and the environment; its spread, and impact in Africa and to understand the implementation of the NAPs on AMR.

“AMR is the consequence of the abuse and misuse of antibiotics which poses a greater threat to public health security that robs countries of their aspirations for universal health coverage.

“There is the need for African countries to invest in resilient public health systems which will gear towards reducing the inappropriate use of antibiotics among the public’’.

He, therefore, called on the media to partner with their respective governments in educating the public on the need to stop the abuse and misuse of antibiotics.

On his own, the Director, Food Safety and Toxins Programme, CSE, India, Mr Amit Khurana, while setting the context for the workshop called for innovative ways to manage the issue of access and excess of antibiotics usage.

Khurana said that the misuse and overuse of antibiotics in food-animal production is a key driver of AMR in humans who ultimately consume the animals and animal products.

“The global success to contain AMR will hugely depend on how we handle it, so we must use greater discretion in our approaches and implementations.

“The threat of AMR is real and globally reaching crisis levels, therefore there must be caution in the production of food and management of waste.

“We cannot afford to allow misuse of antibiotics and chemicals first in our system and then after spend a lot to clean it up from their food and environment”

Part of the highlights of the workshop was the launch of five key reports namely;

“Down To Earth’s (DTE) `FROM CURE TO KILLERS, Road Map to Phase out Non-Therapeutic Antibiotic Use and Critically Important Antibiotics in Food-Animals in Zambia, Baseline Information for Integrated Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance in Zambia, Zambia’s Multi-Sectorial National Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance, and Zambia’s Integrated Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance Framework”.

NAN

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Environment

Earthic Energy To Establish Solar Manufacturing Factory In Nigeria

Published

10 months ago

May 26, 2024

The Gleamer

By Uche Onyeali

Indigenous clean energy company, Earthic Energy Limited has disclosed plans to set up a solar energy manufacturing factory in Nigeria.

Chief Executive Officer of the company, Miss Blessing Anulika Achebe gave the hint during the launch of the company in Abuja, at the weekend.

Miss Achebe, who disclosed that she has been in the solar energy business for five years, said though the journey had not been easy, but she and her partners are focused towards achieving the set goals of the company.

According to her, “The journey so far has not been easy, but I have been working with utmost determination, when I make up my mind to do something, I put in my best and God’s grace will always pave way for you with hard work.

“I have worked so hard to get to where I want to be today. I have tried so hard to make all my dreams come true. Like I said earlier, with the mercy of God everything has come to pass.”

On how she could cope with the competition in the sector, Achebe noted that her firm does not admit any factor that could stand as drawback, as a lot of women are already making waves in various sectors of the economy.

“Our determination is unhindered, though we acknowledge such competition as it paves the way for more resilience. Women are now taking over the world.

“I have been into solar for more than five years. Right now I have been pushing so hard and I see how the world is evolving around energy.

“I have made up my mind that said this is what I want to do. I said if I don’t get to where I want to be, there is no going back; I would go above the limit. I want to change lives; I want to make the world a better place. That is why I came up with ‘Earthic Energy Limited’ because the world revolves around the earth. The earth is where we live and that is why my colour is green and sun yellow. So I want to power the whole world.
“Our plan is to set up a solar energy factory in Nigeria where we can manufacture our own products,” she said.

She called for more investors and government at all levels to take advantage of Earthic’s services, which include solar streetlight installation, inverter/grid installation, construction, training/empowerment, as well as contract financing and partnership, supply/credit sales.

Speaking at the occasion, a Professor of Biochemical Pharmacology at Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Professor Zaruwa commended Miss Achebe for her vision and bold step into the clean energy sub-sector.
Professor Zaruwa, a former Vice Chancellor of Adamawa State University, Mubi, urged government at all levels, especially governors in the northern part of the country where there is enormous sun, to partner Earthic Energy to improve power supply in the country.

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