Beyond Borders: How a One Health Perspective Strengthens the Fight Against Antimicrobial Resistance 

This article was exclusively written for European Sting by Ms. NDEMBE DJENI ERWAN, a 6th year medical student at Université des Montagnes, Bangangté Cameroon. President of the Students One Health Innovative Club of his university. She is affiliated with the International Federation of Medical Students Associations (IFMSA), cordial partner of The Sting. The opinions expressed in this piece belong strictly to the writer and do not necessarily reflect IFMSA’s view on the topic, nor The European Sting’s one.

History narrates that during the early 19th century, an era when infectious agents had been identified as one of the leading causes of illnesses around the world, scientists united their efforts to find efficient solutions to these burdens. The solution relied on the inherent order of nature, as some microorganisms had developed substances to inhibit others. This has led to the discovery of antibiotics half a century later. 

This new discovery has fostered research and the popularization of these miracle drugs, and inevitably the onset of consequences, the major one being “antimicrobial resistance.” Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is defined by the World Health Organization as the inherited or acquired ability of microorganisms to survive or proliferate at concentrations of an antimicrobial that would otherwise kill or inhibit them. AMR can occur in bacteria, viruses, parasites, and even fungi, and it knows no boundaries. Its impact affects human and animal health, as well as food security and ecosystems, highlighting the urgent need for global and interdisciplinary action. 

The One Health concept, which is an integrated and unifying approach that aims to optimize the health of people, animals, and ecosystems and achieve a sustainable balance among these dimensions, stands out as the ideal strategy for tackling this burden. This is because even before the multidimensional impact, the emergence of antimicrobial resistance is driven by the combined effects of human, animal, and environmental practices. These drivers range from poor water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) measures in the community and health facilities to the insufficient treatment of unused and expired antimicrobials before disposal. Furthermore, the intense use of antimicrobials in animal and food production, the poor management of waste and wastewater from pharmaceutical industries, which are often highly concentrated in pharmaceutical residues, and the misuse of antimicrobials by practitioners and the general public, just to name a few.

Because AMR moves across borders, ecosystems, and even species, One Health solutions must follow the same path. This approach promotes an interdisciplinary vision in the conception of strategies to fight against AMR through collaboration, communication, coordination, and capacity building. 

Multiple sectors must therefore join efforts and raise awareness through community education on WASH measures and the training of healthcare on proper hygiene practices and healthcare waste management for the control and prevention of infection and exposure of microorganisms to mismanaged drugs and active wastes, thereby preventing the onset of AMR. This training goes to experts in animal health and food production, ensuring responsible antimicrobial use and good agricultural practices. Pharmaceutical industries should equally be encouraged to properly manage their waste and reduce their concentration of antimicrobials.

AMR is a borderless threat that affects humans, animals, and the environment, fueled by interconnected sectoral actions. By embracing the One Health approach, we choose an integrated multi-sectoral solution to slow its rise and preserve the effectiveness of antimicrobials. Joint multidimensional efforts are necessary today for the health of humans, animals, and ecosystems tomorrow.

About the author

NDEMBE DJENI ERWAN, is a 6th year medical student at Université des Montagnes, Bangangté Cameroon. President of the Students One Health Innovative Club of his university. He has taken part in  numerous community work through different associations with main regard on One health themes, non communicable diseases, HIV and AIDS, and youth empowerment. He has equally been engaged in health campaigns in order to improve on community health. He is interested in public health, ENT, surgery, research and writing. He believes curing a patient is great but if by an action a mass can be touched, it’s greater.