FG Implements 4-Year Action Plan Against Antimicrobial Resistance

Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja

The fight against antimicrobial resistance (AMR) gained renewed momentum with a review of progress made so far by the AMR Technical Working Group (TWG) and the AMR Coordinating Committee.

At the first Quarter Meeting of the National AMR Stakeholders held in Abuja, key stakeholders from human health, animal health, agriculture, and the environment met to assess progress, discuss challenges, and strengthen the national response strategies to AMR.

A statement signed by the Head Corporate Communications at the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), Sani Datti, said the meeting focused on strengthening the implementation of National Action Plan 2.0, improving coordination across the human, animal, and environmental health sectors
It said the National Action Plan (NAP) 2.0 demonstrated the Nigerian government’s commitment to combating AMR over the next five years, from 2024 to 2028.

According to NCDC, the aim is to build upon and sustain the achievements of the first AMR NAP (NAP 1.0), which was implemented from 2017 to 2023.
“The meeting reviewed progress in AMR surveillance, antimicrobial stewardship, infection prevention and control (IPC), and awareness campaigns.

“It focused on strengthening the implementation of National Action Plan 2.0, improving coordination across the human, animal, and environmental health sectors to foster a One Health approach to AMR mitigation, and exploring opportunities for increased funding”.

Dr. Tochi Okwor, who represented the Director-General of the NCDC, Dr. Jide Idris, praised the TWG for their efforts in advancing the AMR agenda in Nigeria and for delivering the first National Action Plan (NAP 1.0).

Chairman of the Technical Working Group, Prof. Kabir Junaid, said that all the pillars would collaborate to develop a strategy and clarify the expectations for each pillar, as well as gather feedback on their previous activities.

Key stakeholders from human health, animal health, agriculture, and the environment met to assess progress, discuss challenges, and strengthen the national response strategies to AMR.