Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to tackling antimicrobial resistance (AMR), as key stakeholders gathered in Abuja for the first-quarter meeting of the AMR Technical Working Group (TWG) and the AMR Coordinating Committee.
Dr. Tochi Okwor, Chair of the AMR Coordinating Committee and representative of the Director-General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), Dr. Jide Idris, commended the stakeholders for their efforts in implementing Nigeria’s AMR initiatives.
She highlighted the significance of the newly developed National Action Plan (NAP) 2.0, which will guide AMR interventions from 2024 to 2028.
“I congratulate the AMR-TWG for their thorough work in developing the second National Action Plan and for securing both technical and political endorsement with the support of relevant ministers,” Dr. Okwor stated.
The meeting brought together experts from human health, animal health, agriculture, and environmental sectors to review progress, address challenges, and enhance strategies for combating AMR.
Prof. Kabir Junaid, Co-chairman of the TWG, emphasized the need for collaboration across different sectors to strengthen AMR surveillance, antimicrobial stewardship, and infection prevention measures.
The NAP 2.0 builds upon the achievements of the first National Action Plan (NAP 1.0) implemented from 2017 to 2023. It aims to improve coordination across all sectors, reinforce Nigeria’s One Health approach, and enhance public awareness efforts.
Key discussions at the meeting focused on AMR surveillance, infection control, antimicrobial stewardship, and sustainable funding mechanisms to ensure long-term success in combating AMR.
The stakeholders reiterated their commitment to addressing AMR as a critical public health challenge, stressing the need for continued collaboration to safeguard the effectiveness of essential medicines in Nigeria.
Comments are closed.