The Nigerian government has launched the Surveillance and Prescribing Support for Antimicrobial Stewardship Resource Capacity Building (SPARC) App, a groundbreaking digital tool aimed at combating the growing threat of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) and promoting responsible antibiotic use among healthcare professionals across the country.
Speaking on behalf of the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Ali Pate, the Director of the Food and Drug Services Department, Pharmacist (Mrs.) Olubunmi Aribeana, described the SPARC App as a critical innovation in Nigeria’s response to AMR.
She formally declared the app “live in Nigeria,” affirming that it would equip prescribers with current, evidence-based treatment guidelines.
In his remarks, delivered through his representative, Professor Pate emphasised that AMR is among the most pressing public health threats globally.
He highlighted the SPARC App as a strategic digital solution that would provide healthcare providers with dependable guidance for rational antibiotic use.
“This is not just a digital platform; it’s a weapon in our fight to protect lives and preserve the effectiveness of medicines,” he stated.
The app was developed through a collaborative initiative involving the Federal Ministry of Health, the Commonwealth Pharmacists Association (CPA), and other international partners, with funding from the Fleming Fund.
It features Nigeria’s Standard Treatment Guidelines (NSTG) for infectious diseases, including protocols for COVID-19 treatment. It will also include national guidelines on antimicrobial use in animals, pending approval.
Designed exclusively for trained healthcare professionals—including doctors, pharmacists, and licensed prescribers—the SPARC App is not intended for public use.
Its main goal is to support informed clinical decision-making by ensuring antibiotics are prescribed only when necessary, in the right dosage, and for the appropriate duration.
These practices are vital to reducing the risk of drug-resistant infections.
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The initiative aligns with Nigeria’s National Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance (NAP 2.0), which is coordinated by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC).
Professor Pate noted that AMR emerges when bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites evolve and cease to respond to medications—leading to prolonged illnesses, increased treatment costs, and higher mortality.
The app supports the Antimicrobial Stewardship (AMS) component of NAP 2.0, advocating for the prudent, evidence-based use of antimicrobials across human, animal, and environmental health sectors—consistent with the One Health framework.
In her welcome address, Pharm. Aribeana, represented by Mr Tunde Atanda, Director of the National Food Safety Quality Programme, hailed the SPARC App as a symbol of strong multisectoral collaboration.
She acknowledged the contributions of the Pharmaceutical Services Division and previous leadership, who facilitated the successful digitisation of Nigeria’s treatment protocols.
She also noted that the app—already in use across 22 Commonwealth nations—holds immense potential to transform Nigeria’s antibiotic prescribing practices.
Yakubu James, Deputy Director and Nigeria’s SPARC App Champion, delivered a technical presentation on Nigeria’s leadership in advancing AMR policy and digital health innovation.
He highlighted key ongoing reforms, including the review of the National Drug Formulary, the Essential Medicines List, and the development of a National Antimicrobial Stewardship Policy for Human Health.
He reaffirmed the Federal Ministry of Health’s commitment to deploying digital technologies, enhancing capacity, and strengthening public health policies for better healthcare outcomes.
The launch of the SPARC App underscores Nigeria’s growing commitment to public health innovation, positioning the country among global leaders using smart, technology-driven solutions to address complex healthcare challenges.
Through this initiative, the Nigerian government aims to preserve antibiotic effectiveness, improve treatment results, and safeguard the health of future generations.