- Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing global health crisis that threatens to undo decades of progress in medicine.
- The misuse and overuse of antibiotics in Nigeria and other countries are fueling the rise of drug-resistant bacteria.
- AMR has become one of the most urgent health challenges globally, with Nigeria stepping up its efforts to address it.
Health experts are sounding the alarm over the rising cases of untreatable, common infections due to antimicrobial resistance (AMR). AMR is a global health crisis that threatens to undo decades of progress in medicine. In Nigeria, the misuse and overuse of antibiotics are fueling the rise of drug-resistant bacteria.
According to experts, AMR has become one of the most urgent health challenges globally, with Nigeria stepping up its efforts to address it. The Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof. Christianah Adeyeye, highlighted the gravity of the AMR crisis in Nigeria, emphasizing that AMR occurs when bacteria become resistant to antibiotics, making infections harder to treat.
Adeyeye noted that one of the major drivers of AMR in Nigeria is the inappropriate use of antibiotics in animal feeds. She emphasized that AMR is not a distant threat but is already impacting lives worldwide and poses a dire risk to public health, agriculture, and the environment.
To combat AMR, experts recommend a One Health approach that recognizes the interconnectedness of human health, animal health, and environmental health. This approach involves coordinated action from multiple sectors, including health, agriculture, and veterinary medicine, to minimize the spread of drug-resistant bacteria and protect public health. ¹
