Nigerian Government Launches Action Plan 2.0 to Tackle Antimicrobial Resistance

In line with the commitment to enhancing Nigeria’s preparedness and response to epidemic-prone diseases and public health challenges, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, with the Nigeria Center for Disease Control NCDC has launched the National Action Plan 2.0 for Antimicrobial Resistance and the National Genomics Surveillance Strategy in Abuja the nation’s capital.

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The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare Prof. Ali Pate noted that Nigeria had established a strong multi-sectoral governance structure that demonstrates a One Health approach to addressing Antimicrobial Resistance ARM activities, which showcases the commitment of the federal government to ensuring effective communication, collaboration, and coordination among sectors that prevent and reduce AMR in the country and beyond.

He said the goal of launching the National Action Plan 2.0 is to reduce, prevent, and slow the evolution of resistant organism and their impact on humans, animals, and the ecosystem while ensuring optimal use and improved access to effective, safe, and quality assured Antimicrobials and diagnostics for continued successful management of infections in Nigeria.

The Director General Nigeria Center for Disease Control and Prevention, NCDC Dr. Jide Idris revealed that Antimicrobial Resistance is no longer an emerging global challenge; it is an established global crisis that requires urgent and innovative approaches to encourage the prudent use of Antimicrobials, promote infection measures, and improve access to diagnostics and therapeutics.

Similarly, the World Health Organization Country Representative to Nigeria, Dr. Walter Kazadi, noted concerns that AMR is predicted to be the next pandemic in the world; hence, a collaborative effort is essential in ensuring the prevention of the damage of AMR to humans, animals, and even agriculture.

He further expressed the commitment of WHO to supporting Nigeria with all the necessary resources to defeat the challenges of Antimicrobial resistance.
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) occurs when germs (bacteria, viruses, fungus) that cause infections resist the effects of the medicines used to treat them. These resistant bacteria can spread and may infect people or animals. They are harder to treat than non-resistant bacteria.

The National Action Plan NAP 2.0 establishes the Nigerian government’s commitment to tackle AMR over the five years from 2024 to 2028. It is designed to build upon and sustain the achievement made in the AMR 1.0, which was implemented from 2017 to 2023.

The AMR NAP 2.0 also seeks to address areas where the previous national plan did not attain over the last five years.

In a presentation by the Co-chairman of the Antimicrobial Resistance Technical Working Group, Professor Kabir Junaid said It is estimated that Antimicrobial resistance has caused more than a Hundred deaths, which, if urgent action is not taken, will increase.