My name is Wiyghakanyuy Godwill Dzekem, a Cameroonian student in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Buea.
THE IMPACT OF SYNTHETIC AGROCHEMICALS (FERTILIZERS, PESTICIDE) OVERUSE ON ANTIBACTERIAL DRUG RESISTANCE IN CAMEROON: FROM A GEOPOLITICAL AND PHARMACOCHEMICAL LENS was my topic for the Pharmaceutical Chemistry term paper, as required by the Department of Chemistry. What motivated me to work on this topic was my desire to understand why antibiotics are becoming less effective in Cameroon, the health risks facing citizens, and what this could mean for Cameroon’s future biosecurity.
During the course of my study, I made a number of observations.
Firstly, Cameroon depends largely on imported agrochemicals. While some of the countries that produce and supply these chemicals have strict regulations on their use, we appear to have fewer restrictions on their application. This, in my opinion, is an issue that deserves attention.
Secondly, the increasing use of fertilizers and pesticides by some farmers may cause these chemicals to run off into the soil and water bodies. This could create conditions that encourage the growth of bacteria and resistance genes, making antibiotics less effective. As people consume crops grown on such soils, seafood from polluted waters, or water from contaminated sources, there may be health implications that require further study.
Thirdly, there is little or no data in Cameroon linking trade policies, pharmacochemicals, and antibacterial drug resistance. This makes it difficult to fully understand the relationship between these issues.
As a matter of fact, antibacterial drug resistance in Cameroon is often associated with the misuse of antibiotics in healthcare, while the possible impact of chemical stress in the environment receives less attention.
With the knowledge I have gained in Pharmaceutical Chemistry and my understanding of the pharmaceutical sector, I believe that if this project is further developed, it could contribute to finding solutions to this challenge. Some of the measures I suggest include promoting the production of biofertilizers, training farmers on the proper use of agrochemicals, and carrying out sensitization campaigns to educate the public on the possible long-term effects of antibacterial drug resistance on public health, food security, and national biosecurity.
I therefore call on health institutions, NGOs, the World Health Organization (WHO), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and other organizations interested in this field to support further research and initiatives that will help address this issue for the good of the nation.
Editor’s Note: This article reflects the views and research interests of the author as part of his undergraduate Pharmaceutical Chemistry project at the University of Buea. Some observations and conclusions presented are intended to encourage further scientific research and policy discussion.