Amid rising concerns over antimicrobial resistance, health experts, policymakers, and stakeholders have gathered in Abuja for a high-level workshop to address the issue through a collaborative, multidisciplinary approach.

The workshop organised on Thursday by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention and Jhpiego restated the urgency of AMR as a public health crisis.

Nigeria ranks 20th out of 204 countries in AMR-related deaths, accounting for approximately 263,400 fatalities in 2019.

Despite this alarming statistic, a national survey revealed that 56.5 per cent of Nigerians are familiar with the term “antibiotic resistance.”

However, only 8.3 per cent of the population has a strong understanding of AMR, and 76.6 per cent feel powerless to combat its spread, highlighting a pressing need for public education and stronger health interventions.

Yemisi Ogundare, global health/programme lead at Jhpiego, stressed the importance of a collective approach to tackling AMR in the country. She noted that collaboration among stakeholders could drive impactful solutions.

Tochi Okwor, head of disease prevention and control at NCDC, highlighted the multifaceted nature of the crisis.

She stressed that AMR was not just a medical issue but also a significant challenge in data, regulation, and economics.

Ms Okwor emphasised the need for a coordinated response across sectors to address these diverse challenges and effectively combat AMR.

Experts at the workshop also called for improved surveillance and laboratory systems to track and combat AMR.

Gabriel Adakole, a public health expert, urged the federal government to invest in laboratory infrastructure and national surveillance systems, warning that weak monitoring mechanisms could hinder Nigeria’s ability to detect and contain AMR outbreaks.

He also reiterated the need for enhanced healthcare infrastructure, cautioning that AMR could undermine decades of progress in disease control and treatment without urgent action.

Louise Gough, chief operating officer at The Trinity Challenge, reinforced the role of innovation in the fight against AMR.

She encouraged Nigerian researchers and institutions to apply for the upcoming Trinity Challenge, which would offer grant funding and access to international networks supporting innovative health solutions.

(NAN)