There Should Be a National Antibiotic Protocol: Md. Nasser Shahrear Zahedee

The Chairman of Radiant Pharmaceuticals Limited and Member of the Board of Trustees of East West University (EWU) Md. Nasser Shahrear Zahedee commented that 'antibiotic resistance' has become a silent pandemic at present.

He said, we have to be aware now to deal with this silent pandemic. Any further delay will do no one any good.

The Chairman of Radiant Pharmaceuticals Limited made the remarks in his speech as a special guest at the seminar entitled ‘Antibiotic resistance a silent killer-Bangladesh scenario in a global perspective’ organized at ‘Manzur Elahi’ auditorium of EWU on Sunday (March 19).

Meanwhile, Md. Nasser Shahrear Zahedee said, we must have a national antibiotic protocol to deal with this silent pandemic. At the same time, every hospital in the country must have an antibiotic protocol. Another thing to note. That is, the small and big drug stores all over the country should be developed as real modern pharmacies.

The seminar was Chaired by Professor Dr. Mohammed Farashuddin, the chief advisor of EWU and a former governor of Bangladesh Bank.

Dr. Mohammad Anwar Hossain Howlader, Secretary, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, was the Chief Guest at the seminar.

Apart from this, the vice-chancellor of EWU Professor Dr. M. M. Shahidul Hassan, vice chancellor of Jashore University of Science and Technology (JUST) Dr. Mohammad Anwar Hossain, and others were present.

In the seminar, JUST VC Dr. Mohammad Anwar Hossain illustrated the dismays of antibiotic resistance and the research reality in different areas of Bangladesh. 

It was informed in the seminar, The World Health Organization has imposed a “silent pandemic” warning from infectious pathogens which have already become resistant to antibiotic medicines that are currently used in clinical settings. The scenario in Bangladesh is much more alarming due to the higher incidence of antibiotic misuse or overuse and the lack of knowledge regarding antibiotic resistance.

According to a survey done in 2021 by the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), antibiotics of the higher class are used in about 70-80% of situations where antibiotics from the lower class or even treatment without antibiotics would suffice. A survey among children showed that about 18% of children under five years of age who were hospitalized due to pneumonia, were suffering from antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains.

Carbapenem, which is the final resort as antibiotic therapy in life-threatening situations has become ineffective in 60% of cases in Bangladesh. Awareness among mass people is one of the most important steps to fight this situation. Speakers hope that this seminar will play a key role in the prevention of antibiotic resistance, spreading awareness among the community, and in the establishment of rational use of antibiotics.