Antimicrobial resistance in Nairobi is being fuelled by pollution, agricultural practices and climate-related challenges, a City Hall official has said.
Crispus Michira on Monday told experts during a One Health approach meeting in Machakos there is an urgent need to improve waste management, regulate agricultural practices and expand antimicrobial resistance surveillance.
“Through these actions, Nairobi can better protect its ecosystems and residents from the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance,” he said.
Michira said the county is faced with pollution from health facilities and wastewater.
“Hospitals, clinics and veterinary facilities in Nairobi generate waste that often contains antimicrobial residues. When these are inadequately treated, they enter water systems and soil, contributing to AMR,” he said.
AMR occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites change over time and no longer respond to medicines making infections harder to treat and increasing the risk of disease spread, severe illness and death.
Michira said while the city has wastewater treatment facilities, they are often overwhelmed by the volume of waste.
He said lack of advanced technology to effectively remove antimicrobial compounds is another challenge.
Michira said untreated or partially treated wastewater from health facilities and urban areas is a significant source of anti-microbial contamination in Nairobi’s rivers and soil.
He said there was also an overuse of antibiotics in livestock.
“In Nairobi’s peri-urban areas, antibiotics are frequently used in livestock farming to promote growth and prevent diseases, particularly in intensive farming set ups,” he said.
Michira said overuse of antibiotics and resistant bacteria enter the environment through manure runoff, especially during rainy seasons.
He said some farmers use antibiotics laden manure as fertilisers, further contributing to environmental contamination.
Michira said the residues accumulate in the soil and water sources, leading to increased levels of resistant bacteria in the ecosystems.
He said the county is also faced with challenges in managing solid waste.
Michira said waste collection within informal settlements remain a tall order, resulting in open dumping.
“This unmanaged waste contains antibiotics from discarded pharmaceuticals, personal care products and healthcare waste, providing breeding ground for resistant organisms,” he said.
Michira said some industrial and health facilities engage in illegal dumping to avoid disposal costs.
He said such dumping sites often lack protective barriers, allowing antimicrobial compounds to leach into the soil and water systems, facilitating antimicrobial resistance to spread.
Michira said the impact of climate change has contributed to the increase in the risks.
He said there is limited environmental surveillance of antimicrobial resistance in environmental sources like water bodies, soil and air.
Michira said information related to antimicrobial resistance is often siloed across health, agriculture and environmental sectors.
“The lack of integrated data sharing limits comprehensive risk assessments and hinders coordinated action against AMR,” he said.
Already, a National One Health
Strategic Plan running from 2021 to
2027 is in place.
