The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari has emphasized the need for stronger collaboration among stakeholders under the One Health Approach to ensure the successful implementation of the new National Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR). He stressed that this collaboration is vital to improving public health, ensuring food security and achieving sustainable development in Nigeria.
Speaking at the headquarters of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare in Abuja, Kyari highlighted the six strategic objectives of the National Action Plan on AMR. These include strengthening leadership and surveillance systems, raising public awareness, implementing infection prevention and control programmes, improving access to quality antimicrobials and enhancing the knowledge and capacity of relevant stakeholders.
Represented by the director of planning and policy coordination, Mr. Ibrahim Tanimu, Kyari explained that the plan is designed to address AMR challenges across the human, animal and environmental sectors. He emphasised that antimicrobial resistance is one of the most urgent global health and development challenges, as recognised in the recent political declaration at the United Nations General Assembly.
Kyari further noted that AMR is predicted to cause an 11 per cent decline in livestock production in low-income countries by 2050. To combat this threat, the Ministry of Agriculture has established a network of laboratories to support AMR surveillance and developed national guidelines for the use of antimicrobial drugs in animals. These guidelines are intended to guide animal health practitioners in the responsible use of these drugs.
In collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), the ministry has also developed biosecurity guidelines and standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the poultry and aquaculture sectors. Kyari reaffirmed the ministry’s full commitment to implementing the activities outlined in the new National Action Plan.
In his remarks, the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammed Ali Pate, underscored the Federal Government’s commitment to safeguarding the health and well-being of citizens. He explained that AMR occurs when microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites evolve, developing resistance to treatments that were once effective.
Pate pointed out that the Second National Action Plan on AMR aims to mitigate the impact of antimicrobial resistance, which claimed 4.7 million lives worldwide in 2020.
Delivering a goodwill message, the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) Country Representative, Dr. Walter Mulombo noted that global efforts have reached a critical milestone in understanding the environmental impact of AMR. He commended Nigeria’s leadership in addressing this pressing issue.
During the event, co-chair of the AMR Technical Working Group, Kabir Junaid highlighted the importance of the new plan, noting that it provides a clear focus for combating antimicrobial resistance in the country.
The ceremony concluded with the official unveiling and launch of the new National Action Plan on AMR, alongside the National Genomics Surveillance Strategy. The event was attended by former Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu and other key stakeholders and development partners.
