Antimicrobial resistance (AMR), a condition in which infections become harder to treat as microorganisms evolve to become resistant to drugs, was linked to more than 64,000 deaths in Nigeria in 2019. There is a possibility.
Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare Muhammad Pate said these deaths occurred at a time when only 42.7 per cent of the population had access to medical care.
Pate said a situational analysis of AMR found that it is prevalent not only in the country’s population, but also in animals, agricultural food, and the environment.
He said this on Friday in Abuja during the launch of the National Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) 2.0.
The event was organized by the Nigeria Center for Disease Control in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.
Pate said antimicrobial resistance is growing at an alarming rate and is a threat that jeopardizes decades of medical progress.
“AMR threatens the very foundations of modern medicine, making routine procedures, surgeries and treatments less effective and in some cases ineffective,” he said.
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According to the minister, AMR could kill 10 million people a year by 2050 if the necessary steps are not taken.
Pate said if AMR is not addressed, it could overtake cancer as the leading cause of death worldwide.
“The economic impact is equally dire, with global losses estimated at more than $100 trillion.”
AMR occurs when microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites evolve and develop the ability to withstand treatments that once killed them or inhibited their growth.
This makes infections difficult to treat, leading to prolonged illness, increased healthcare costs, and increased risk of death.
Causes of AMR
Health officials say AMR is caused by the overuse and misuse of antibiotics in humans, animals and agriculture.
In medicine, resistance can be caused by inappropriate prescriptions or incomplete treatment courses. In livestock farming, antibiotics are often used not only to treat diseases, but also to promote growth, which further increases resistance.
According to this study, microorganisms can spread between humans, animals, and the environment, making AMR a global public health challenge.
To strengthen the country’s efforts to control the impact of AMR, the Ministry launched AMR NAP 2.0, a revised version of the National Action Plan on AMR adopted in 2017.
He said: “This revised action plan reflects our determination to tackle these challenges head-on. It sets out a number of strategic objectives that will guide our efforts over the next five years. It is rooted in
Also read: AMR threatens to reverse medical progress and push millions into poverty – NCDC
implementation plan
According to Kabir Junaid, co-chair of the AMR Technical Working Group, the adoption of this document is critical because it will direct countries on what to focus on in combating antimicrobial resistance. said.
Junaid said the new action plan is rooted in six key strategic objectives, including strengthening leadership and surveillance systems, increasing public awareness, implementing infection prevention and control programs, and ensuring high quality microorganisms. This includes increasing access to knowledge and capacity of relevant stakeholders.
He also said that the revised action plan will cost a total of $77,633 to implement key strategic objectives and achieve goals. Based on the current average exchange rate of 1 dollar = 1,600 naira, this amounts to 127 million naira.
“The inappropriate use and abuse of antimicrobials poses a serious threat to public health and is driving the spread and prevalence of AMR,” he said.
“To combat this, a comprehensive strategy that engages prescribers, producers, and patients to protect the effectiveness of antibiotics is essential.
“This requires the provision of knowledge, guidelines and tools for the appropriate use of antimicrobials in both humans and animals.”
Genome surveillance strategy
The ministry also announced Nigeria’s National Genomic Surveillance Strategy at the event.
Genomic resources refer to the collection of data, tools, databases, and technologies used to study and interpret the genomes of organisms, including humans.
These resources help scientists and medical professionals understand the genetic makeup of organisms, enabling them to discover how genes influence traits, health, disease, and response to treatment. .
Mayowa Owolabi, director of the Center for Genomics and Precision Medicine at the University of Ibadan, says that if cures are found for incurable diseases such as cancer, high blood pressure and diabetes, it will almost certainly come through breakthroughs in genomics.
He said that while genomics can help address national challenges, it also serves as a catalyst for national development.
However, he said Nigeria was yet to take advantage of the use of genomic resources to advance the development of medicine and health systems.
“Genomics can help solve this problem in terms of early diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, prevention, and even cure,” he said.
“We also need to come up with something similar to Biobank in the UK or Genome International in the US.”
He recommended the establishment of a genome-focused institution such as a Genome Nigeria or National Genome Project.
He said: “In Africa, the medicines and preventive equipment we use for diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation are often imported from outside the continent.
“Ninety-nine percent of them are from outside Africa. Africa is the genetic cradle of humanity, so Africa has the richest genomic resources.
“What’s happening there is that many other stakeholders see this value, so they’re collecting these raw materials and biological samples and using data science to transform them into new discoveries. Masu.”
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