By Gerald Mukembu
The National and County Government of Meru has launched an awareness campaign across several streets in Meru town, focusing on the dangers of drug ignorance, poor hygiene, and inadequate nutrition that contribute to antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
The team, led by County Health Promotion Officer Susan Muthoni, Director of Public Health Dr. Joshua Meme, and Dr. Lilian Kaloki, urged residents to heed doctors’ instructions and adhere strictly to prescribed medications.
The medics emphasized that many lifestyle diseases stem from patients’ negligence, including not completing prescribed drug courses and failing to maintain good hygiene and proper diets.
“Some individuals unknowingly introduce harmful chemicals into their bodies—whether through improperly spraying crops or consuming fruits that haven’t met safety guidelines. Poor hygiene practices, such as failing to wash hands or fruits, can also lead to serious health risks. We must take responsibility for our health,” Kaloki stated during the public awareness walk.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), antimicrobial resistance is a global health crisis impacting human and animal health, food production, and the environment. It occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites evolve and become resistant to treatments, making infections harder to manage and increasing the risk of severe illness and death.
The primary goal of this campaign is to increase public awareness and encourage proactive measures to combat the spread of AMR. The medics want to inform residents that antimicrobial resistance can arise from both intrinsic and extrinsic factors when microbes outsmart the medications meant to treat them.
