Medical experts in Nigeria are warning about growing challenges in treating infections due to increasing antimicrobial resistance (AMR), a situation where disease-causing organisms become resistant to previously effective drugs.
These concerns were voiced during a five-day training session in Lagos for journalists and civil society organisations, organised by the Fleming Fund Country Grant (FFCG II), a UK government-supported initiative.
Chairperson of Nigeria’s Core Group for Policy Briefs Development Steering Committee, Dr. Mary Alex-Wele, explained that AMR develops when microorganisms like bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites become resistant to medications that previously controlled them. This resistance makes infections more difficult to treat, potentially leading to longer hospital stays and increased mortality rates.
“AMR has a significant global impact, causing approximately 700,000 deaths annually,” Alex-Wele said. She warned that without effective antibiotics, even routine surgeries could become dangerous. The economic impact could be devastating, with potential costs reaching up to 100 trillion dollars by 2050.
A director at the National Veterinary Research Institute, Dr. Sati Ngulukun, emphasised the importance of surveillance and highlighted national policies to combat fake drugs as part of the solution. Meanwhile, Dr. Akujuobi Igwe, Laboratory and Research Director at Rotan Medical Diagnostics Ltd., called for stronger public-private sector collaboration to address the challenge.
The training programme, which hosted 47 participants, aims to equip stakeholders with tools to advocate for AMR solutions and raise public awareness about antimicrobial misuse. The initiative is part of a broader effort by FFCG II to enhance Nigeria’s capacity to address AMR through a comprehensive approach encompassing human, animal, and environmental health.
Key factors contributing to AMR include the overuse and misuse of antibiotics, poor infection prevention practices, agricultural antibiotic use, and inadequate surveillance systems. The project focuses on generating and analysing quality AMR data, sharing findings with decision-makers, and promoting sustainable investments to counter this growing health threat.
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