Federal Government on Friday launched the second National Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), alongside a comprehensive National Health and Health Security Strategic Plan.
The Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, during the launch in Abuja, that the initiative highlights the country’s commitment to address pressing public health challenges while preparing for future threats.
AMR poses a significant threat to the prevention and treatment of infections caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites.
It occurs when the micro-organisms evolve and no longer respond to treatments, making infections challenging to manage and increasing the risks of disease spread, severe illness, and death.
Consequently, effective medicines become ineffective, leading to persistent infections that can be transmitted to others.
Antimicrobials, including antibiotics, antivirals, anti-fungal, and anti-parasitic, are used to treat infections in humans, animals and plants.
The microorganisms that develop resistance are often referred to as “superbugs.”
The minister, therefore, acknowledged the profound impact of AMR on collective well-being, saying that “antimicrobial resistance poses a global health crisis, with an estimated 4.7 million deaths linked to bacterial AMR in 2021 alone.
“Resistant infections not only increase mortality rates but also drive up medical costs, complicating simple medical procedures and undermining healthcare systems.
“A coordinated, all-of-government approach is essential to tackle AMR effectively.
“We need robust financing mechanisms and global cooperation to support countries in implementing their National Action Plans, ensuring that we are prepared for the challenges ahead.”
Pate called for the establishment of an Independent Scientific Panel on AMR, advocating for its hosting within Africa to leverage local expertise and knowledge.
“The days of seeking wisdom from elsewhere should be behind us,” he asserted.
He stressed the importance of utilising Africa’s rich scientific resources.
He outlined the integrated approach to health that the new action plan would promote, noting that 67 per cent of antimicrobial use stems from the animal health sector.
“We must succeed in human health by ensuring animal health is prioritised. Vaccination efforts in both sectors can significantly reduce threats, thereby mitigating resistance,” he said.
The representative of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abdullahi Sabi Aliyu, said “antimicrobial resistance is one of the most urgent global health, trade, and development challenges.”
Aliyu highlighted the severity of AMR as a global crisis, not only impacting health but also food security, trade, and economic development, underscoring the need for coordinated international action.
The Director-General, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), Dr Jide Idris, said “We will move beyond conversations and set a new standard of tackling AMR, one that prioritises implementation and drives sustainable change.”
Idris said there was a need for a shift from discussions to actionable steps in combating AMR, focusing on concrete implementation and long-term impact.
The WHO Representative in Nigeria, Dr Walter Kazadi Mulombo, said AMR was predicted to be the cause of the next pandemic if left unchecked.
Mulombo said that the urgency and global threat posed by AMR stressed the need for immediate action to prevent it from becoming a future pandemic and destabilising health systems, economies, and sustainable development efforts worldwide.
The launch was attended by key stakeholders from academia, civil society, and international partners, all of whom, are expected to play crucial roles in the successful implementation of the strategic plans.
NAN
