Participants in the Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Policy Dialogue in Abuja on Monday

The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued warnings about the inappropriate and overuse of antibiotics.

The WHO Representative in Nigeria, Walter Mulumbo, said in an antimicrobial resistance policy dialogue in Abuja on Monday that antibiotic resistance is rising to dangerously high levels around the world.

Mr. Mulumbo said that if no action is taken, the world will enter a post-antibiotic era, in which common infections and minor injuries will once again lead to death.

"In this context, the absence of effective antibiotics in the future will mean that common medical procedures such as hip replacement, cancer chemotherapy, organ transplantation, and treatment of premature babies will be far less safe.

"Although predictions indicate that if we do not fundamentally change the way antibiotics are used, by the middle of this century, antimicrobial resistance will kill more people than other deadly diseases today, the frightening thing is," He said.

This dialogue is to commemorate the World Antibiotic Awareness Week (WAAW) to be held from November 18 to 24, 2021.

The theme of this dialogue is "AMR Response and Financing in Nigeria: Challenges and Opportunities", which aims to promote discussion of new opportunities to fund the AMR National Action Plan and evaluate One Health's response and funding to AMR.

The theme of WAAW this year is "Spread Awareness and Stop Resistance".

Antimicrobial resistance, also known as antibiotic resistance, occurs when the way microorganisms change and the drugs used to cure the infection they cause are ineffective. This is why some people complain about persistent infections despite the prescribed antibiotics.

AMR has now become a global health emergency because it puts increasing pressure on an already fragile health system, especially in Nigeria.

WHO estimates that drug-resistant infections have caused at least 700,000 deaths each year, of which 230,000 died of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis.

In addition, by 2050, it is estimated that 10 million people will die from drug-resistant infections each year. If efforts to reduce the abuse of antibiotics on a global scale are not vigorously strengthened, economic losses of US$100 trillion will be caused.

Due to reduced productivity, chronic illnesses, reduced labor efficiency, and increased hospitalization costs, economic costs will increase exponentially.

At this event, Peter Umanah, an official of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD), called for more investment if Nigeria is to effectively respond to AMR.

Mr. Umanah is the Chief Veterinary Officer (CVO) of Epidemiology of FMARD’s Veterinary and Pest Control Service. He stated that sufficient investment in containment of AMR is considered a high-yield development, and the expected return far exceeds the cost.

He explained that the correct assessment of the economic impact of AMR opens up new areas of investment opportunities that Nigeria needs to take advantage of.

"This underscores the need for continuous and deeper cooperation between all stakeholders to provide sufficient evidence to convince policy makers that investing in curbing antimicrobial resistance is considered a high-yield development investment, and the return is expected to be far Exceeding the cost," he said.

In the opening speech, Ifedayo Adetifa, Director-General of the Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC), stated that it is necessary to systematically collect data at the medical institution level and the community level to monitor the use of antibiotics in the country.

Mr. Adetifa, represented by Chinwe Ochu, Director of Prevention Programs and Knowledge Management at NCDC, said that the Nigerian approach is that everyone has access to antibiotics.

He explained that there are some regulations, but they have not been properly implemented.

"We hope to reduce the use of non-evidence-based, unguided antibacterial drugs, from antiparasitic drugs, antimalarials to antiviral drugs, antibiotics to antifungals. We need more sustainability testing to guide us on antimicrobial drugs. usage of.

"In order to achieve this goal, we need to be equipped with appropriate laboratories to make accurate diagnoses," he said.

Mr. Adetifa also recommended that data be recorded appropriately, and data on the use of antibiotics in personal hygiene facilities should be collected regularly and systematically.

"A good database will help planning and also guide the facility-based response, which will constitute a national response," he said.

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Nike Adebowale covers healthy beats. She holds a degree from Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti. Twitter: @nikeadebowale1 

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