NCDC moves to address Anti Microbial Resistance

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control has brought experts together from various Ministries and Agencies, academia and the private sector to chart a path towards a National Action Plan to combat antimicrobial resistance in Nigeria.

The group met to review Nigeria’s requirement to complete her National Action plan and enroll in the Global Antimicrobial Surveillance System (GLASS) of the World Health Organisation. Enrollment on GLASS allows for transparent governance of AMR in countries, as well as global assessment of state of the global health system.

The meeting also addressed the need to understand the scope of the challenge of antimicrobial resistance, and how best to combat it in the country,

Joshua Obasanya, director of Planning, Research & Statistics of the NCDC said “We at the NCDC hold ourselves extremely accountable for this coordination effort; our work is to ensure all relevant actors participate in this.

“We want to make sure that the One Health approach is evident as we combat AMR in Nigeria.” He said

The threat of a time when antibiotics will fail to serve their roles in combating infectious diseases is currently the biggest fear of the entire global health system.

Currently, reports of infections not responding to treatment with antibiotics are stressing countries around the world.

Expert recommendations at the meetings are for countries to ensure a “One Health” and multi-stakeholder approach in the planning and implementation of their national antimicrobial resistance action planning and strategy.

“This is the only way to ensure our solutions are really sustainable.” Obasanya noted.

It was recalled that when President Muhammad Buhari assumed office he shared this country’s commitment to the global goal of protecting citizens from disease threats. This commitment was strengthened through Nigeria’s participation in World Health Assembly 2015 and the United Nations General Assembly 2016 where Nigeria signed to play her part as a country in combatting AMR.

Isaac Adewole, minister of Health, during the last UNGA warned against complacency that could follow the declaration’s adoption.

“We must not only talk but act. The time is now to fully implement this document.” he noted

Global projections are that resistance will cost the entire world $100Tn by 2050 if nothing is done. It is currently deepening the burden of otherwise treatable diseases including malaria, tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS and childhood infections.

As they contemplate resistance, many countries complain of an inability to provide appropriate access to antibiotics to those who are in dire need of them.

For this reason, participants at the meeting ensured that considerations of Animal Health, the Environment and Human Health were properly factored into all deliberations.

Iruka Okeke, a professor of Pharmacy at the University of Ibadan, who is one of the technical leads at the meeting, said that given the enthusiasm experienced during these sessions, he is optimistic that Nigeria will meet the required timeline towards a national action plan and AMR surveillance.

“It is clear, however, that a lot of work needs to be done. I congratulate the Federal Ministry of Health and the NCDC for taking the bold and critical steps needed for a strong start.” Okeke added.

TIAMIYU ADIO