Zanzibar steps up fight against antibiotic misuse

ZANZIBAR: THE Zanzibar Health Research Institute (ZAHRI), in collaboration with various partners has held a meeting to present findings from the ZAN-TOTO Project, which aimed at promoting appropriate use of antibiotics, particularly among children.

Speaking at the meeting, Director General of the Ministry of Health, Dr Maryam Seif Hemed said responsible use of antibiotics was essential to protecting public health, while inappropriate use could harm individuals and increase healthcare costs for the government.

She warned that improper use of antibiotics could prolong recovery from illnesses and contribute to antimicrobial resistance, making infections increasingly difficult to treat.

The expert urged members of the public to use antibiotics correctly and only in accordance with advice from healthcare professionals.

She also called on partners to continue supporting government efforts to address misuse of antibiotics.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) Representative in Zanzibar, Dr Ndoungou Salla Ba, said the organisation would continue working with the government of Zanzibar to promote appropriate use of antibiotics, particularly among children.

He said WHO would focus on increasing awareness among healthcare professionals and communities about proper antibiotic use, while supporting efforts to address antimicrobial resistance.

This would include strengthening systems for the use and management of medicines to ensure antibiotics remained effective in treating infections and that accurate information was available to health professionals and the public.

ZAHRI Director General, Dr Mayasa Salum Ali said the three-year ZAN-TOTO Project had concluded after implementing a campaign against inappropriate and indiscriminate use of antibiotics in Zanzibar.

She said the project, supported by the International Centre for Antimicrobial Resistance Solutions (ICARS), received approximately 1.5bn/- and was implemented in five hospitals.

They included Mnazi Mmoja and Kivunge hospitals in Unguja, and Kinyasini, Vitongoji and Abdalla Mzee hospitals in Pemba.

The project involved research into antibiotic use among children under five, alongside public education and awareness campaigns on responsible use of the medicines.

Dr Ali said antimicrobial resistance was among the major health challenges facing the world, with inappropriate antibiotic use contributing to the growing problem.

She explained that resistance occurs when bacteria become less responsive to medicines used to treat infections, making illnesses more difficult to manage and increasing the risk of serious complications and death.

The Head of ICARS Africa, Dr Titha Dzowela said the organisation had worked with Zanzibar to strengthen efforts to address inappropriate antibiotic use through the ZANTOTO Project.

She said the project had supported research and awareness campaigns, particularly focusing on antibiotic use among children under five and the threat of antimicrobial resistance.

Project Coordinator, Muhidin Omar said the three-year project had initially been expected to achieve a 30 per cent target but had succeeded in reducing challenges affecting services by 25 per cent.