Environment officials say the rise in antibiotic consumption could not only endanger people’s health but also bring permanent damage to the environment.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) recently underscored the importance of enforcing policies on the proper use and disposal of antimicrobials.
DENR Undersecretary for Field Operations and Environment Juan Miguel Cuna echoed the campaign of the Department of Health (DOH) against antimicrobial resistance during the World Antimicrobial Awareness Week High-Level Media Forum on November 18.
"Important policy measures that target specific high-risk environments with elevated concentrations of antibiotics, such as wastewater treatment plants in hospitals, health care facilities, and pharmaceutical industries are of utmost importance," Cuna said.
"The proper use and disposal policies of these antibiotics are vital in maintaining ecological sustainability," he added.
Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu also stressed the parallel importance of behavior change in addressing antimicrobial resistance and in caring for the environment.
"Just like addressing environmental issues, the Filipino people need behavior change to combat antibiotic misuse and abuse and prevent antimicrobial resistance in the country," he said.
During the forum, Cuna noted that the rise in antibiotic consumption could not only endanger people’s health but also bring permanent damage to the environment.
The undersecretary also explained the need to strengthen the awareness campaign on the relation of antibiotic presence on the ecosystem.
According to the World Health Organization, the environment plays a major role in antibiotic resistance where bacteria in soil, rivers, and seawater can develop resistance through contact with resistant bacteria, antibiotics, and disinfectant agents released by human activity.
Tags: #antibioticabuse, #antimicrobialresistance, #environment, #ecosystem, #DepartmentOfEnvironmentandNaturalResources