HEALTH and Wellness Minister Dr Michael Darville. Photo: Donavan McIntosh/Tribune staff
By TANYA SMITH-CARTWRIGHT
tsmith-cartwright@tribunemedia.net
HEALTH and Wellness Minister Dr Michael Darville admitted Friday that antimicrobial resistance has been a “menacing” problem in the medical community for a long time.
Dr Darville made the statement in response to Dr Carissa Etienne, director of the Pan American Health Organisation’s concern about the “unprecedented” use of antimicrobials during the COVID-19 pandemic, which can lead to a rise in drug resistant infections.
Dr Etienne said antimicrobials are crucial life-saving drugs, but they must be used responsibly as bacteria can develop resistance and render these drugs ineffective over time.
She further stated that across the region, several countries are reporting surges in detection of drug-resistant infections that have likely contributed to the rise in mortality during the pandemic in hospitalized patients.
In response, the health minister said The Bahamas has also been challenged.
“Antimicrobial (AMR) resistance has long been a menacing presence within the health community,” Dr Darville said in an interview Friday. “In 2017 Dr Shin Young-soo, WHO Regional Director for the Western Pacific was quoted to say, ‘Quite simply, we are running out of effective antibiotics. We can no longer ignore the urgency and gravity of this issue: resistance to antibiotics is a serious public health emergency.’”
He continued: “Yesterday’s comment by Dr Carissa Etienne resonates with the Ministry of Health and Wellness and should be contextualised. Any patient, including patients infected with COVID-19, may have a superimposed or co-infection from a bacterial agent that requires management with the appropriate use of an antibiotic.”
The PAHO director also said antimicrobials have been misused outside of hospital settings. And, drugs such as Ivermectin, Azithromycin and Chloroquine were broadly used as unproven treatments, even after PAHO had strong evidence that they had no benefit to COVID patients.
Dr Darville said this has always been a concern.
“The concern is, and always has been, the misuse of antibiotics for conditions that do not require antibiotics therapy or their overuse or prolonged use. Examples of misuse include taking antibiotics for viral infections such as colds and flu, and using them as animal growth promoters on farms or in aquaculture.
“The combined result of such (and other) practices threatens the ability to treat common infections. Quite frankly, these practices make it harder and harder (and sometimes impossible) to treat the pneumonias, tuberculosis and infections that affect animals – to name a few.”
The Ministry of Health and Wellness reminds the public that there is no scientific evidence that supports the use of azithromycin, an antibiotic, in treatment regimens against COVID-19, a viral disease. Further, the ministry says, more broadly, antibiotics treat infections that are caused by a bacterial agent.
Dr Darville said that in 2017 the National AMR Committee was established and charged to develop national protocols and policies to improve the use of antibiotics, while also reducing the misuse and abuse of these life saving therapies.
He said the Committee’s approach to antimicrobial resistance is that of a “one health approach” to include not only human health but food, environmental, veterinary health and agricultural actors.
Globally, Antibiotic Awareness Week is November 18 to 24.
Comments
carltonr61 2 years, 5 months ago
It is proven that if you take nothing for Covid you die. It is unproven that if you take Ivervectin you live. Common sense wins that one. Covid prevention is not counted though in the billions. only covid deaths are counted by PAHO with their deathometer. In the interest of human health PAHO should find out why vax makers DATA used for recommended use on humans is sealed for a whole 55 years by FDA. Shouldn't they be interested? What are they hiding?
tribanon 2 years, 5 months ago
Of course one of the really big lingering questions yet to be fully studied and answered, is whether one of the side effects from the use of the experimental mRNA vaccines is Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR). Those who did not need to join the Vaccine Dependent Global Society from an at-risk-profile standpoint, but were nevertheless quick to do, have much to worry about going forward. And it's beginning to seem the unvaccinated have much more to fear from the unnecessarily vaccinated.
jamesg30 2 years, 5 months ago
Tribanon, What are your concerns regarding the Messenger RNA vaccine versus conventional vaccines? Yes it is new but with your scientific insight, what kinds of side effects could you possibly anticipate from this new approach to fighting viruses that kill people? Do you think it is better to avoid taking the vaccine and hope that you are not one of the many who die or get the "long haulers" side effects from contracting Covid-19? Do you just stay home all day, every day and it is not a decision you have to make?
Twocent 2 years, 5 months ago
Scientists created a Chimera, and now they seem unable or unwilling to truly slay it! Creating another Chimera to slay a Chimera just isn’t sound logic! Perhaps, like Lobates, they have another plan? When all that is transparent is some biased data, disinformation, and a program that undermines any reasonable protective Agreement, like Nuremberg/Geneva convention, there are good reasons for a multitude of concerns.
FrustratedBusinessman 2 years, 5 months ago
Since you are one of the biggety know it alls that look down on us, tell me why do the manufacturers have blanket immunity and why do I need to sign my legal rights away to take it?
I am a businessman, I provide services/products to people. If I provide a faulty product/service, I am liable to be sued. Sounds reasonable, yes. I put a product out there, I stand behind it. I do a job for someone, I stand behind it. The people making this sure cannot do that, and I would really like to hear an answer why. You should know, given how you deride anyone who exercises the right to decide what medical treatments they would like to avail themselves to.
jamesg30 2 years, 5 months ago
Don't take the vaccine. Simple. But you are an idiot for not getting it. Biggety? How about reading a little and seeing what is going on around the world. I am not being Biggety when I speak truth to conspiracy. Don't get the vaccine and continue to provide the cess pool of where the next variant can be created and along the way you might die or get very sick. Biggety? Mr. Biggety to you. Mr. Biggety must be code for critical thinking versus conspiracy laden fantasies? Blanket immunity for Pharma? Where have you been all your life? There is Blanket immunity for every member of our Goverment and their girlfriends. Just that their girlfriends won't make you die from a virus.
FrustratedBusinessman 2 years, 5 months ago
Lol. Show me where I have mentioned a single "conspiracy laden fantasy" in my post. Cultists like you just go mentally insane when confronted with facts that you don't like. There doesn't have to be some big "conspiracy" for people to make mistakes. I will say that these are the same people that lied and falsified data to destroy millions of lives in the opioid crisis, and still destroy millions of lives to a lesser degree with benzos (see Jordan Peterson for an example), and people like you think that they are doing it for your good lol. If ignorance is bliss, you set should be the happiest people alive.
Buddy, you don't have to tell me not to take it, I have no intention to. You can take your shots and shove them where the sun doesn't shine. The problem is that people like you only care about power and control, misery loves company as they say, and so it won't be long before you push for the rest of us to be thrown in Fox Hill for exercising our rights.
Yes, very biggety. You seem to know it all and think that people are stupid for making a choice what you don't like. It has been 2 years now, I am not dead yet. I have had a dozen or so family members get COVID, none of them went to the hospital or died. I might have had COVID myself as I was overseas when all of this first broke out and got sick at the same time. Get sick for a few days, and then get better, wow. Put on your big girl panties and get over it.
DWW 2 years, 5 months ago
LOL say he got facts. where your facts please? good chuckle on this thread. do you understand the scientific method even a little bit?
Bobsyeruncle 2 years, 5 months ago
This has also been an issue when it comes to the firearms industry and gun dealers. Their argument has always been that they are not responsible for how other people use their products, but they are responsible for the quality of the product. They cannot control if a gang banger, or mentally unstable person uses their product to injure or kill a person.
I'm assuming that the vaccine makers struck a deal that was partially related to the above, as well as other factors that are too involved to discuss here.
Additionally, I'm not sure whether the blanket immunity only applies to the USA or worldwide.
FrustratedBusinessman 2 years, 5 months ago
I see what you are trying to say, but comparing these shots to firearms is like apples to oranges. No one is ever going to mandate that you have to own a firearm to work a job, even as a soldier the government will issue you one and reclaim it when your service is up (Switzerland being an exception where you can purchase it after service), you won't be locked into your home for not owning one, and so on.
Legally speaking, governments and employers are putting people under duress to sign these agreements and waive their rights. If crap ever hits the fan, it is going to be a massive legal headache as it would be argued (and rightfully so imo) that these contracts are illegal. Given how much lobbying power these corporations have though, I doubt that they will ever be held responsible in any case.
Personally speaking, I have been in enough situations to learn that "just trust me bro" as an argument never works out. Will backfire every single time.
Bobsyeruncle 2 years, 5 months ago
Agree with your apples and oranges comparison, but my response was to the blanket liability immunity, not the mandate for compulsory vaccination.
On the topic of compulsory vaccination, there are already instances of that with vaccination against certain diseases required before starting school, working in certain industries (for example handling blood or tissue samples, waste treatment) & if you want to visit certain countries.
FrustratedBusinessman 2 years, 5 months ago
The problem is that these shots and mandates go hand in hand. I truly couldn't care less about whether people took this crap or not aside from the fact that it is being forced. I am a healthy with no comorbidities to speak of, I see no need to take this in my situation. I am the kind of person that only uses a treatment as necessary, I really don't rush to the doctor for every little thing. If I can treat it myself, then I will. Even going back to the children issue, it just simply isn't necessary. Children are statistically speaking the least affected demographic. My thoughts are that this issue is politicized way more than what it should be. It has become about power and control more than actually looking at what is necessary/works.
With regards to the mandates, we are back to the issue of mRNA and viral vector never being used on a mass scale before meaning that we have no idea if/what may occur as long-term effects. Which then leads to the extremely low mortality rates that don't justify forcing it. Even then, sure some countries might require yellow fever shots or whatever else to enter, but then we are back to the fact that they aren't mRNA/viral vector, and also the fact that you only need it for a select group of countries that people usually visit for a specific, sort of niche reason in the first place. When it comes to jobs, you can always find work in a different field. It is not like what is happening today where there is this mass effort to force people to take it across industries. Even then, it is usually justifiable based on the kind of work that it is entailed with the industry. The way we are seeing mandates applied with a broad brush is pretty much unprecedented, and for what? How many shots is it going to be before it ends? We see that the UK is updating their definition of what it means to be "vaccinated" to include the third shot and Israel changed theirs a month or two ago. The CDC has suggested that the same will be happening in the US soon. Will they change it to include a fourth one? The third ones were only for immuno-compromised people at the start too. At some point, people are going to say no.
jamesg30 2 years, 5 months ago
FrustratedBusinessman. You are correct. You did not suggest a conspiracy outright. You did suggest that there is something sneaky about a vaccine that has been offered that can prevent people from dying. People may die from chronic anxiety if they might not be offered a possible treatment like Benzo's. However they also may die from an overdose. Covid is different. Your decision not to get vaccinated and for me to put on my big girls panties and suck it up might not be enough for me. I also can't catch your anxiety disorder from you. I may die from catching Covid from someone else. As so many have. It is still the 3rd most common reason for death in the U.S. So talk about the lack of legal liability the pharma companies have because you can't sue them if this vaccine turns out to be a nightmare. However negligence is negligence and if it turns out that Parma was negligent with knowingly distributing a product that they new would be harmful, sue away. There is no immunity in law from negligence. But Busy business man travelling all around the world, continue to nibble around the edges as to why you are more of a man than the person who takes the vaccine and tell me that you aren't feeding into a mistrust that is costing people their lives. You say, "I have the right". You shouldn't. You have anxiety? Take a Benzo. You have Covid and spread it to me? Your a selfish, paranoid, person who could give two XX's about other people. Glad you are such a tough guy that you can just worry about legal liability for the Pharma companies when we know this vaccine works. Is it perfect? Hell no, but it is 90% effective (no matter which vaccine you take), from putting you in the ICU. So carry on with your tough guy "critical thinking" when in fact you are acting like a clown. A clown disguised as a critical thinker. Do I trust Pharma companies 100%? Hell no, but when you look at the options, they are not good. Unless you are a Jock wearing tough guy like you.
FrustratedBusinessman 2 years, 5 months ago
lol
carltonr61 2 years, 5 months ago
Sad that a close family member swore by Minnisitis ignoramous stupiditis the insisted being cured, ignoring Gates warning that Vax does not stop transmission. All doctors should be charged with malpractice. My family became hospitalized from covid then struggled for weeks. Thank God he with four others survived.
JokeyJack 2 years, 5 months ago
So now they going to outlaw our medicine and watch us gasp for breath. Will they be removing that adrenal fluid from us too like they do with the pizza gate kids?
ohdrap4 2 years, 5 months ago
Austria locked down the unvaccinated only. Lasted a week. Tomorrow all will be locked down and compulsory vaccination in February 22. Sll enabled by the new legislation. People were marching in Vienna this morning.
Coming soon to a theater near you.
Gibraltar with 100% fully vaccinated and 17% boosted is locking down too.
Bobsyeruncle 2 years, 5 months ago
If you consider cancelling official Christmas celebrations to be "locked down", then you are correct. BTW, how many COVID deaths has Gibraltar had since being 100% vaccinated?
To be honest Gibraltar is not really a good indicator, since it only has a population of about 30,000, and a lot of them travel on a daily basis into Spain for work etc.
It is going to be interesting to see what happens in Austria though.
jamesg30 2 years, 5 months ago
Where is 1/2 cent when you need him the most. He is so smart. Talk your talk half cent!!! Love to hear it now.
carltonr61 2 years, 5 months ago
For the most part it seems that even the hyperprovaxxers are finally realizing they too are placed in a fish tank. The very least the fear in both vaccinated and unvaccinated end up st the same hurdle now once denied as asinine crazy thinking. The fishbowl the vaccinated are in is clear but you are trapped all the same. Without a booster for life then you are no longer fully vaccinated with just two shots. 4C is telling you "sorry, but you have been had. Now just follow the rules. Get boosted for life. Stupids." Our regional health genius now admits along with Gates that vaccines don't prevent transmission but they are dictating children and teachers get a jab just to help them survive hospital but now they have to create further media bombshell dying children. Coming to a theater near you.
DWW 2 years, 5 months ago
Hey Pundits. Rather than postulate and pontificate. Please point me to a person you personally know who has died from the vaccine. otherwise you are all useless wastes of space and precious oxygen.
carltonr61 2 years, 5 months ago
https://www.rt.com/news/541216-who-he...">https://www.rt.com/news/541216-who-he...
Now Head if WHO is on our side warning the vaccinated. Darville was correct to bypass Minnis' absolute slavery to PAHO and WHO.
ALL VACCINATED TAKE SHELTER. Sorry for youl.
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