Health experts in Uganda have raised alarms over the rampant misuse of antibiotics, citing it as the leading cause of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), which has dire consequences on public health and the economy. The phenomenon has been linked to over 7,000 annual deaths in Uganda, surpassing the death toll of malaria, which claims about 4,000 lives yearly. Experts caution that beyond fatalities, antimicrobial resistance results in increased healthcare costs, prolonged illness, and diminished productivity.
According to the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) 2022 Global Antimicrobial Resistance and Use Surveillance System (GLASS) report, Uganda ranks second among 26 countries in antibacterial drug consumption, using 1,528.6 tonnes annually. This consumption far exceeds Ethiopia’s 122.6 tonnes, despite Ethiopia having a population three times larger than Uganda's 45.9 million. Health experts attribute this alarming figure to the widespread misuse and overuse of antibiotics.
Dr. Henry Kajumbula, a microbiologist at Makerere University and chairperson of Uganda’s National AMR Committee, explains that AMR occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites adapt to withstand medicines intended to eliminate them.
“These organisms, responsible for diseases like pneumonia, typhoid, and meningitis, evolve to the point where common antibiotics like penicillin and tetracycline lose their effectiveness,” he said.
Public health specialists also point to the role of antibiotics misuse in agriculture. “Drug-resistant bacteria can transfer from animals to humans through meat and dairy products, or vice versa,” noted Mr. Rogers Kisame, a public health expert at Baylor Uganda. He highlighted that the irrational use of antibiotics in humans and animals accelerates the development of resistance.
The government has initiated interventions to curb the crisis. Health Minister Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng urged the public to avoid purchasing antibiotics without a prescription and emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts among sectors.
“Effective strategies include promoting responsible antibiotic use, infection prevention in healthcare and agricultural settings, and ensuring access to vaccines, clean water, and hygiene,” Dr. Ruth Aceng said.
Despite these efforts, enforcement remains weak. Kenneth Mwehonge of the Coalition for Health Promotion and Social Development criticized the ease of access to antibiotics in pharmacies without prescriptions. He called for stricter regulations, proper surveillance, and adequate funding to combat AMR.
Health professionals also warn that continued misuse of antibiotics will lead to even higher mortality rates and increased treatment costs, creating a looming public health crisis if immediate action is not taken. Increased mortality, prolonged illnesses, higher costs, and reduced treatment efficacy are some of the more effects to this isse.
