Osun State Governor, Mr Adegboyega Oyetola has disclosed the efforts of his administration in waging war against the menace of misuse of antibiotics by the citizenry.
To make these efforts fruitful, the Governor has charged all stakeholders in the health sector to rise up and join the global struggle to combat the misuse of antibiotics.
The governor gave the charge in Osogbo at the inauguration ceremony of Osun Antimicrobial Resistance Action Committee and multi sectoral symposium with the theme: “Stewards for the Future :Stop Overuse and Misuse of Antibiotics.”
Represented by his Special Adviser on Public Health, Pharm. (Dr) Olasiji Olamiju, the governor said antimicrobial resistance is a serious public health challenge that require joint effort to combat adding that the state cannot afford to be static when the whole world has gone dynamic concerning the menace.
Mr. Oyetola stated that his plan for the good health of all Osun people is second to none pointing out that this prompted his government to embark on revitalisation and refurbishment of 342 public health centres in the state with the belief that a healthy soul is a wealthy soul.
He specifically tasked professionals in the health sector to be more proactive and be abreast of the current trend at reducing the misuse of antibiotics in the discharge of their duties.
The governor stressed the need for these stakeholders to step up enlightenment and awareness campaign for the people of the state.
He then pledged his government’s unalloyed support to the committee in their effort to reduce the menace adding that they will be called upon every 3 month to give the stewardship.
Also speaking at the event the Commissioner for Health,Dr Rafiu Usamotu enjoined the citizenry not to use any antibiotics without getting doctor’s prescription no matter how highly placed they might be.
He urged the students present at the symposium who were randomly picked from across the state to educate their parents on the dangers of engaging in self medication and misuse of antibiotics.
The Executive Secretary of the Osun Health Insurance Scheme, who is also the secretary of the newly inaugurated committee, said his agency was doing its best to address poverty among the people saying that OHIS came into being specifically to ensure that people get adequate health care without taking money from their pocket.
Members of the committee include Prof.Dipo Aboderin, Dr.Niyi oginni, Pharm. Fasipe, Dr. Yomi Oni ,Dr Tanimowo, Mr Deji Adefila, Mrs.Abioye, Dr. A.T Adeyemo and Mr Ogunleye.
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