The laboratory and research director at Rotan Medical Diagnostics Ltd, Dr. Akujuobi Igwe has urged the Federal Government to allocate dedicated funding for routine testing of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) to protect public health and save lives.
Igwe made this appeal during an interview with journalists in Abuja at the weekend while discussing the current state of antimicrobial stewardship (AST) in Nigeria.
Science Nigeria reports that AST involves coordinated strategies to ensure antibiotics are used responsibly to achieve better patient outcomes, slow the spread of drug-resistant infections, and safeguard the effectiveness of existing treatments. It includes accurate diagnosis, appropriate prescription and consistent monitoring of antibiotic use across healthcare settings.
Igwe emphasised that routine AMR testing is critical to tackling rising drug resistance and preventing needless deaths. He warned that Nigeria’s battle against AMR would remain reactive and largely ineffective without deliberate investment in diagnostics.
“We cannot fight what we do not test for. Nigeria must allocate funds specifically for regular AMR testing. Without diagnostics, stewardship is blind. Investing in testing at every level of care, especially in laboratories, is vital to saving lives and preserving antibiotics’ power,” he said.
He acknowledged Nigeria’s policy-level commitment through its National Action Plan on AMR but noted that practical implementation, especially in testing and stewardship, still relies heavily on donor support.
Igwe highlighted that most health facilities lack functional AST teams or adequate diagnostic infrastructure to support rational antibiotic use, leading to widespread misuse and overuse of antibiotics, which worsens resistance.
“Antimicrobial stewardship should be the backbone of our response to drug resistance, yet it is among the least funded areas of our healthcare system,” he added.
He cited global warnings that the misuse of antibiotics in human medicine and agriculture continues to drive AMR, posing a severe threat to global health. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), AMR ranks among the top ten global public health threats and could claim up to 10 million lives each year by 2050 if urgent action is not taken.
Igwe urged the government to integrate AMR testing and stewardship into national health budgets, including primary healthcare programmes, health insurance coverage and hospital accreditation standards.
He also called for more awareness campaigns, training of laboratory professionals, and stronger collaboration between the public and private sectors to boost diagnostic capacity and surveillance nationwide.
