With the COVID-19 pandemic exposing the fragility of global health systems and Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) threatening to undo decades of medical progress, Nigeria stands at a critical crossroads.
The nation’s efforts to bolster health security have never been more urgent. As one of Africa’s largest and most diverse countries, Nigeria’s approach to safeguarding public health does not just impact its citizens; it echoes across the continent.
Aligned with the African Union Agenda 2063 and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Nigeria is tackling these challenges head-on, demonstrating a strong commitment to building a resilient and sustainable health system.
The Agenda 2063 is Africa’s development blueprint to achieve inclusive and sustainable socio-economic development over a 50-year period.
It was adopted on January 31 2015 at the 24th Ordinary Assembly of the Heads of State and Governments of the African Union in Addis Ababa.
The launch of Nigeria’s second National Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), alongside a comprehensive National Health and Health Security Strategic Plan, marks a pivotal moment in the country’s health agenda.
These initiatives underscore Nigeria’s dedication to addressing urgent public health concerns while preparing for future threats.
This forward-thinking strategy is vital to safeguarding the nation’s health infrastructure, says Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, Nigeria’s Minister of Health.
Pate said that AMR poses one of the most significant threats to global health, impacting the effectiveness of treatments for infections caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites.
He underscored the pressing need for a coordinated, all-government effort to combat this situation blamed for an estimated 4.7 million deaths globally in 2021 alone.
Nigeria faces unique challenges when it comes to AMR due to its size, diverse ecology and complex social structures.
Prof. Kabir Junaid, Co-chair, Antimicrobial Resistance Technical Working Group (AMRTWG) says environmental issues such as the encroachment of the ocean on both non-human and human lives exacerbate the problem.
They contribute to an estimated 64,500 deaths linked to AMR in Nigeria.
Junaid said that Nigeria’s drug resistance index in the human health sector exceeds 65 per cent, far surpassing the global threshold of 25 per cent.
Furthermore, he said that multi-resistant bacteria are prevalent in animal health sectors, contributing to environmental contamination in water and soil.
Addressing the challenge requires a well-thought and implemented action.
To that effect, Junaid said the newly introduced National Action Plan seeks to create a healthier nation by preventing and responding to AMR in a prompt and evidence-based manner.
“Its goals include reducing the evolution of resistant organisms, ensuring the safe and effective use of antimicrobials, and strengthening leadership across One Health sectors, which integrate human, animal, and environmental health,” he said.
He estimated that implementing this plan would exceed 77.6 million dollars, with over 30 per cent of resources allocated to antimicrobial access and optimal usage by 2025.
“Key agencies, including the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, Federal Ministries of Health, Agriculture, and Environment, and National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control will spearhead these antimicrobials control efforts’’, he said.
As Nigeria grapples with AMR, the nation is also looking toward cutting-edge solutions that could revolutionise its healthcare system.
The study of organisms and data science are emerging as powerful tools to address not only AMR but also broader public health challenges.
Dr Mayowa Owolabi, Director, Center for Genomics and Precision Medicine, thinks that Nigeria should take a leadership role in leveraging Africa’s rich genetic resources.
“Africa, being the cradle of humanity, has the richest genomic resources,” he said.
He said that by utilising these resources alongside data science, Nigeria can transform its health sector and contribute to global innovations in treating diseases such as cancer, hypertension, and diabetes.
Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening health security aligns with Agenda 2063 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3, which seeks to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all.
Addressing AMR is a critical part of this broader strategy, as it impacts not only health systems but also economic stability and development.
Experts say not raising the challenge posed by AMR portends danger for humans.
Dr Walter Kazadi Mulombo, WHO Representative in Nigeria, warns that AMR could potentially trigger the next pandemic if left unaddressed.
Mulombo said that the consequences of AMR stretch beyond health, influencing other SDGs, including zero poverty (SDG 1) and decent work and economic growth (SDG 8).
The National Action Plan outlines objectives to enhance leadership, improve surveillance systems, and bolster infection prevention efforts, focusing on the One Health approach that integrates human, animal, and environmental health considerations.
Genomic surveillance is another critical element in Nigeria’s AMR strategy and Pate underlined that genomics could enhance the country’s ability to monitor and respond to viral and bacterial threats.
He called for the establishment of an Independent Scientific Panel on AMR within Africa, stressing that Africa’s scientific resources should be harnessed to develop home grown solutions to health challenges.
The fight against AMR requires a multi-sector approach. Malam Balarabe Lawal, Minister of Environment, reflected on the lessons learned from the first version of Nigeria’s AMR Action Plan.
He said it was important to integrate efforts across environmental health, livestock, and healthcare sectors.
Lawal urged stakeholders to preserve antimicrobials for future generations while promoting sustainable practices that protect food security, human health, and the environment.
Dr Kelvin Aizebhughele, an Infection Preventionist, said infection prevention programmes should be mandated across all healthcare facilities.
This, he said, would ensure compliance and effective surveillance. Without these concrete measures, Aizebhughele warned, the fight against AMR could remain mere rhetoric.
Dr Jide Idris, Director-General, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), highlighted the need for moving beyond discussions to tangible action in combating AMR.
“This shift toward implementation is crucial to achieving sustainable progress in the fight against antimicrobial resistance,” Idris said.
With 67 per cent of antimicrobial use occurring in the animal health sector, Dr Tochi Okwor, AMR & Infection Prevention Control Coordinator at NCDC, explained that coordinated vaccination efforts in both human and animal was essential to mitigating resistance.
Okwor said that integrating environmental health considerations was also vital because AMR bacteria often spread through environmental pathways.
As Nigeria embarks on the implementation of its second National Action Plan on AMR, the nation’s commitment to health security is clear.
By aligning national health initiatives with global goals, Nigeria is taking significant strides toward a healthier, more resilient future.
As Pate declared: Nigeria is “committed to building a future where every Nigerian benefits from improved healthcare and stronger health security.”
The strategies outlined in the plan not only position Nigeria as a leader in the fight against AMR but also contribute to broader efforts to achieve Agenda 2063 and the SDGs.