Dhaka: Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter today announced the launch of an awareness program in January aimed at reducing antibiotic use and raising public awareness on the issue. Speaking at the inauguration of the Veterinary Vaccine Conference-2025 at the Livestock Research Institute in Mohakhali, she highlighted the importance of various initiatives being planned to prevent the unnecessary use of antibiotics, which could play an important role in protecting public health.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Farida emphasized the crucial role veterinary vaccines play in animal health, public health, food safety, and the country’s economic development. She noted that this conference is both timely and significant. She also warned that negligence in disease prevention leads to unnecessary antibiotic use, which in turn increases the risk of antimicrobial resistance among both humans and animals. Strengthening vaccination programs is necessary to reduce the need for antibiotics, she added.
The Adviser stressed the importance of effective measures to stop antibiotic misuse. She pointed out that it is insufficient to merely rear livestock, as these animals also require care, treatment, and disease prevention similar to humans. Since humans consume animals as food, there is a direct link between animal health and human health.
Farida mentioned that while ongoing vaccination programs aim to control infectious diseases such as Foot-and-Mouth Disease, Lumpy Skin Disease, PPR, and Anthrax, the country needs to develop its capacity for vaccine production. The conference was chaired by Dr. Md. Abu Sufian, Director General of the Department of Livestock Services, with LRI Director Dr. Md. Mostafa Kamal delivering the welcome address. Dr. Shakila Faruk participated as a special guest, alongside experts, researchers, policymakers, and other stakeholders from the livestock sector.