FG launches national plan on antimicrobial resistance, genomic surveillance strategy

The federal government has launched the National Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) 2.0, and the national genomic surveillance strategy.

Speaking during the launch of the two policy documents at the weekend in Abuja, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof Muhammad Ali Pate said the launch of the National Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) 2.0. came at a time when the global community, through platforms like the 2024 United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), had committed to renewed and urgent action against AMR.

He said AMR is a silent but devastating resistance of microorganisms to antimicrobial treatments and that it presents a clear and present danger to global health, food security, and development.

He said in 2017, Nigeria made significant strides by launching its first National Action Plan on AMR, adding “We recognised that a multisectoral, one health approach-integrating human, animal, and environmental health-was essential in confronting AMR.”

• NARTO to FG: Fix Oyo-Ogbomoso Highway to avert tanker explosion
• We must replicate aviation safety on waterways, others – NSIB DG

The minister said in 2019, over 64,000 deaths were attributable to antimicrobial resistance in Nigeria, while only 42.7% of the population had access to healthcare services in 2019.

He said the federal government is also committed to integrating genomic technologies into all aspects of our work, noting that the plan has been laid out to build capacity for genomic sequencing and surveillance as well as improving response to emerging infections and advancing vaccine development.

The Director General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), Dr Jide Idris said the second AMR National Action Plan is a comprehensive 5-year strategy designed to combat antimicrobial resistance in Nigeria, adding that the NCDC leads the Antimicrobial Resistance Coordination Committee (AMRCC) to drive the implementation of the plan’s priority actions.

Co- chair of the national AMR Technical working group, Prof. Kabiru Junaid said it will cost a total of $77, 633, 889 to implement all the strategic objectives of the AMR National Action Plan.

The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari, said the ministry is committed to the implementation of the activities of the action plan.

The Minister of Environment Mallam Balarabe Abbas Lawal, who was represented by Director, Department of Pollution Control and Environmental Health, Bahijjahtu Abubakar, said effective implementation of the plan will improve the country’s strategies in addressing AMR and strengthening surveillance in the environment sector, livestock and healthcare settings, while promoting sustainable standard practices that ensures food security, protection of the environment and human health.