Jakarta – The antimicrobials misuses and overuse in the human and animal health sectors, as well as food production can accelerate the incidence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). AMR can make infections difficult to treat, increase the number of deaths and economic losses. As one of the efforts to control antimicrobial resistance in the food and livestock sectors, the Directorate General of Livestock and Animal Health Services (DGLAHS) of the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) launched the general guideline for the prudent and responsible use of antibiotics in the livestock and animal health sectors, and socialized it to veterinarians throughout Indonesia during an antimicrobial stewardship campaign. This effort is a collaboration of the DGLAHS MoA with the Indonesian Veterinary Medicine Association (PDHI), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

This general guideline is very important, considering that veterinarians are at the forefront of controlling antimicrobial resistance in the livestock and animal health sectors, through prudent and responsible prescribing of antimicrobial drugs, and educating farmers in animal care. Dr. Ir. Nasrullah, as Director General of Livestock and Animal Health Services, Ministry of Agriculture delivered a virtual remarks at the launch of the general guideline and the first batch of virtual socialization on 2 October 2021. He hoped that the guideline that was launched that day could be implemented immediately as an effort to achieve the target of the National Action Plan to Control Antimicrobial Resistance.

“This guideline also aims to develop the veterinary profession by providing scientific information and practical steps. So that there should be no more imprudent and irresponsible use of antimicrobials, such as for disease prevention or livestock growth-promotor," said Dr. drh Muhammad Munawaroh, MM, Chairperson of the PDHI Executive Board in front of 250 veterinarians from the Sulawesi and Kalimantan regions. They were the first PDHI branches to receive virtual socialization of this guide right after its launch. Furthermore, PDHI will conduct several batches of virtual socializations in October 2021 through its branches all over Indonesia.

On the other hand, Dr. Luuk Schoonman, Team Leader of the FAO Emergency Centre for Transboundary Animal Diseases (FAO ECTAD) in Indonesia expressed his appreciation for the cooperation of various parties in composing and launching the guideline. “Controlling antimicrobial resistance requires the commitment and cooperation of various government agencies, professional associations, academia, the businesses – including livestock businesses, and international organizations. The general guideline launched today are one such example,” said Schoonman.

About Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)

Antimicrobials, including antibiotics that are better known to the public, are drugs used to prevent and treat infections in humans, animals, and plants. However, the microbes (bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites) that could be overcome by antimicrobials have changed, so the drugs that were expected to treat these infections are no longer effective. This mechanism is called antimicrobial resistance (AMR) which threatens human, animal and environmental health. FAO has been working with governments and partners around the globe to control AMR along the food chain, including livestock sector. Read more here.