The Federal Government has introduced a comprehensive National Action Plan to combat Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), emphasizing the urgent need for greater collaboration among stakeholders to address this growing public health threat.
The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, made the announcement during a ceremony held at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare in Abuja on Monday.
Kyari called for a unified approach to tackling AMR, stating, “We must work together under the One Health Approach to ensure improved public health, food security, and sustainable development.”
The new action plan outlines six key strategic objectives designed to strengthen Nigeria’s response to AMR.
These include enhancing leadership and surveillance systems, raising public awareness, and implementing infection prevention and control programs.
Represented at the event by the Director of Planning and Policy Coordination, Mr. Ibrahim Tanimu, Senator Kyari highlighted the severe impact of AMR, stating, “Antimicrobial resistance is predicted to cause about an 11 percent decline in livestock production in low-income countries by 2050.”
He reiterated the Ministry’s commitment to confronting the issue through initiatives such as the establishment of laboratory networks and the development of national guidelines for the responsible use of antimicrobial drugs in animals.
Also present at the event was the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammed Pate, who emphasized the critical nature of the AMR crisis.
“AMR occurs when microorganisms evolve and develop the ability to survive treatments that once killed them,” Pate explained.
He revealed that globally, AMR was responsible for 4.7 million deaths in 2020.
The World Health Organization’s (WHO) Country Representative, Dr. Walter Mulombo, praised the launch of the action plan, calling it a significant milestone in understanding and addressing the environmental impacts of AMR.
“This achievement demonstrates leadership and ownership in addressing this pressing issue,” Mulombo remarked.
In addition, Kabir Junaid, Co-chair of the AMR Technical Working Group, underscored the importance of the new action plan, stating that it would effectively guide Nigeria’s efforts in combating AMR.
The event concluded with the unveiling of the National Action Plan on AMR and the National Genomics Surveillance Strategy, marking a pivotal step in Nigeria’s battle against antimicrobial resistance
