Livestock Uses More Antibiotics Than Humans - Pate

The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Pate, has said that the livestock sector uses more antibiotics than the human health sector.

Mr Pate pointed out that using these drugs responsibly in livestock can help lessen the pressure that leads to antimicrobial resistance (AMR) affecting humans.

He made this statement on Monday in Abuja during a joint One Health ministerial briefing. This was ahead of the fifth Global High-Level Ministerial Conference on AMR.

The minister explained that a multi-sectoral approach is necessary for tackling AMR. He highlighted that the use of antimicrobials in livestock is a key part of the resistance issue.

"The livestock sector uses more antibiotics than the human health sector. So if they are used better, then there’s less pressure for antimicrobial resistance to develop that can affect people," he said.

Mr Pate mentioned that antimicrobial resistance can transfer between humans, animals, and the environment. He stressed the need for teamwork across different sectors.

"Much of the zoonotic disease and AMR can come from animal health to humans," he said. He added that using antimicrobials in both animal and human health can have effects on the wider population.

Prevention Before Treatment

The minister said that controlling AMR should not just focus on treating infections. It should also include preventing diseases that need antimicrobial treatments.

He pointed out that vaccination, hygiene, biosecurity, infection prevention and control, and better diagnostics are key measures.

"If you can prevent the disease, then you don’t need to use the antimicrobial," Mr Pate said.

He also urged Nigerians to stop using antibiotics without need. He noted that not every cough or catarrh needs antibiotics.

"It’s not every cough that needs to use antibiotics. It’s not every catarrh that needs to use antibiotics, please consult a doctor," he said.

Livestock Practices

The Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Aliyu Abdullahi, said AMR also threatens agriculture and food security.

Mr Abdullahi stated that the wrong or too much use of antimicrobials and agrochemicals can harm disease control, food safety, trade, and livelihoods.

He mentioned that the agriculture sector is focusing on the responsible use of antimicrobials, educating farmers, offering extension services, promoting good agricultural practices, and ensuring biosecurity.

One Health Approach

The Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal, noted that AMR affects human, animal, and environmental health.

"Resistance does not respect boundaries. It cuts across sectors. It moves from people to animals, from farms to food, and through water, soil, and waste systems," Mr Lawal said.

The ministers’ meeting is part of the preparation for the fifth Global High-Level Ministerial Conference on AMR. This conference will take place in Abuja from 6 to 8 December.

It is the first global high-level ministerial conference on AMR to be held in Africa. The theme is, "One Healthcare: Advancing global AMR commitments to local action."