Health experts have said that the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) requires a coordinated approach that recognises the inseparable relationships among human, animal, and environmental health.

This formed the focus of the Faculty of Science lecture at the University of Ibadan (UI), where Dr Falodun Israel of the Department of Microbiology delivered a thought-provoking lecture titled: ‘Navigating the Interconnectivity of Antimicrobial Resistance at the Interface of One Health’.

Falodun, while addressing the participants, explained that antimicrobial resistance is no longer a problem limited to hospitals and healthcare facilities. Rather, he said that evidence increasingly shows that resistant organisms found in humans could also be found in animals and the environment, advocating the need for a comprehensive one health approach.

According to the microbiologist, the one health concept emphasises that protecting human health must involve protecting animals and preserving the environment because all three are interconnected and mutually dependent.

A major concern, he noted, is the widespread use of antibiotics in animal husbandry, where antimicrobial agents are often administered not only for treatment but also for growth promotion. Such practices contribute significantly to the emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance.

Falodun, therefore, warned that antibiotic residues and resistant bacteria could find their way into the food chain through animal products consumed by humans.

He also discouraged self-medication, describing it as a dangerous practice that contributes to antimicrobial resistance, adding that while some patients complain about the number of diagnostic tests required before treatment, proper laboratory investigation remains essential for accurate diagnosis and effective healthcare delivery.

The lecturer further explained that successful management of infectious diseases requires collaboration among medical doctors, laboratory scientists and pharmacists, each contributing specialised expertise to ensure appropriate treatment.

Also speaking, the Dean of the Faculty of Science, Prof. I.A. Oladosu, highlighted ongoing research efforts within the UI aimed at addressing pressing health challenges, including studies on Ebola and other infectious diseases.

He maintained that Nigerian scientists possess the expertise and intellectual capacity to compete globally but are often hindered by inadequate funding and limited access to modern research facilities and equipment.

Oladosu said that the faculty lecture series serves as a platform for showcasing the groundbreaking work of researchers while exposing students to emerging scientific discoveries and innovations.